Rushcliffe PPC responds to schools' funding emergency

Lib Dems: 'School Cuts' data shows funding still an emergency

As a governor of a Rushcliffe primary school, Lib Dem PPC for Rushcliffe Jason Billin knows all too well that the Conservative Government's spending on primary and secondary education has meant real-term cuts to per-pupil funding. The relaunch of the National Education Union's 'School Cuts' website reveals that more than 15,000 schools across England will have less money per pupil in real terms in 2020 than they did in 2015.

"The Lib Dems have been calling on the Conservative government to reverse school cuts. The most valuable investment we can make as a society is in our youngest citizens."

Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary Layla Moran issued a statement today saying: "The Conservatives continue to fail our children. This data removes the wool that Boris Johnson tried to throw over our eyes - that he is making parents and teachers wait for the money their schools desperately need.

"Whilst he peddles catchy soundbites, teachers are still faced with impossible decisions on which support staff to cut or which basic supplies not to buy.

Ms Moran goes on to comment: "The money in the Spending Round won't reach all schools until next September. Even then, it will probably take until around 2022 for the cuts since 2015 to be reversed. That's seven years wasted - the length of time a child is at primary school.

"Liberal Democrats demand better for our children's futures. We need an emergency cash injection this year to reverse school cuts, so that teachers have the resources they need to help their pupils succeed in life."