School funding - Thangam Debbonaire

Support for inner-city primary schools

Yesterday I asked the government about its strategy for school places. In some areas of Bristol, families are moving further out due to the high price of rent and the lack of open space. I believe many of these changes affecting schools could be anticipated and planned for in the…

Standing up for school funding

Schools in Bristol West are still suffering from budget cuts, even though the government continues to insist that their budgets have increased. In real terms, the opposite is true. The government’s misleading statements on school budgets have been criticised by a range of experts, including the Institute for Fiscal Studies…

Will the government reverse cuts to special needs education?

Properly-funded special needs support could help pupils at risk of exclusion. Almost half of school pupils excluded have identified Special Educational Needs, according to a review of school exclusion published yesterday. From speaking to parents, teachers, pupils and school staff, it is clear that schools in Bristol need more money…

Bristol schools deserve better than this government’s cuts

This week, I condemned the government again on their shameful refusal to admit they have delivered real terms cuts to school budgets in Bristol West. I am so inspired by the excellent schools in Bristol, but I am so angry that teachers and staff are being asked to do more…

Efficiencies will not solve the school funding crisis

Headteachers of maintained nurseries, primary and secondary schools across Bristol West tell me that – despite what the government says – the solution to the school funding crisis cannot come from making further ‘efficiencies’. There is simply nothing left to cut. I’m outraged that the government is passing the buck…

Special needs funding for schools is inadequate

School children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deserve the same opportunities as all others – yet the government have cut the funding available to schools to help these children learn. Today I confronted Secretary of State for Education Damian Hinds. His answer referred to an emergency funding package…

The Prime Minister’s maths on school cuts don’t add up

Even primary school children are likely to be able to see the problems with the Prime Minister’s maths. Today I confronted Prime Minister Theresa May with analysis from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), which showed education funding per pupil has fallen 8% on the Tories’ watch. This further…