Commenting on yesterday’s Budget speech presented in Parliament by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, local education union leader speaks out.
Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“The additional education funding announced is certainly welcome. A budget starting to fix the foundations.
“The positive responses from the bench were reminiscent of Bob the Builder and his peers constant positive problem-solving ‘Can do’ attitude.
“At first glance the budget sums, attitude and actions are positive:
- Continuing the School Rebuilding Programme.
- The £1bn increase in SEND funding.
- £1.3bn for mainstream schools.
- An additional £300 million for Further Education
“All mouthwatering sums.”
Shreeve: Consider the reality and the funding is insufficient
He went on to say,
“However, consider the reality and the funding is insufficient:
- The £40 billion cumulative cut to school capital funding since 2010.
- The high needs deficit in most councils and ever-growing special needs numbers.
- The scale of the teacher recruitment and retention and the historic low pay of support staff.
“We can all embrace this spirit of ‘Can we fix it?’. But considering what is actually needed, many young people will have left education by the time this and subsequent budgets fix the foundations.
“Poverty is a key foundation. Fix it and more children could realise their potential. Scrap the two-child benefit limit; lift hundreds of thousands out of poverty overnight.
“Fix hunger. Breakfast clubs are welcome, but free school meals for all primary children would be even better.”
Shreeve: We urge Government to move even faster to reverse past education cuts
He finished by saying,
“Only last Friday, the Chancellor said, ‘Protecting funding for education was one of the things I wanted to do first because our children are the future of this country. We might have inherited a mess, but they should not suffer for it.’
“All builders – Bob and Rachel Reeves – understand the vital importance of safe, stable, supportive foundations. Thus, we urge Government to move even faster to reverse past education cuts.”
