Parents on low income are set to suffer when £24,000 is cut from a scheme to help them pay for new school uniform.

On Monday, Richmond Council’s cabinet is set to agree the cut as part of its plan to slash 9 per cent - nearly £9m - from the authority’s budget in the 2011/12 financial year.

Councillor Malcolm Eady, Richmond Liberal Democrats’ education and schools spokesman, criticised the cut and said it would “put extra pressure on parents with low incomes”.

He said the authority would be putting forward the plan to cut the £70 a year given to parents when their children start secondary school at the same meeting the cabinet would be agreeing to spend £30,000 a year on flowers - a move that would upset parents.

He said: “The arguments in favour of school uniforms are well known to parents. Teddington School has just introduced a new uniform to coincide with the opening of the new school and our three new academies all have new uniforms.

“We expect our young people to look smart, but it comes at an ever increasing cost.

“At present the grant in Richmond is £70 compared with £112 in Hounslow.

“The average cost of a full secondary uniform works out as roughly £150 it is clear that the poorest families in the borough are already asked to make a substantial financial outlay each year.

“To remove this modest subsidy would make the cost all the more burdensome.”

He said the cut was purely based on Conservative rhetoric and was proof the new administration was hurting most those who need the most.

Councillor Geoffrey Samuel, Richmond Council deputy leader, said: “We have to make £35m in cuts and we are dealing with an opposition who are opposing every cut, they are taking a very irresponsible view.

“Our job is to provide good teaching in good schools.

“That will be safe guarded and we may have to get rid of things that are less important.

“Schools have always unofficially helped children whose families don’t have the money for things like school trips.

“School budgets have increased considerably over the last few years and there are many schools where the school or the PTA can help families that need it.”

With reference to the spending on flowers, Coun Samuel said the administration had promised residents a commitment to the environment.