Labour Refuses to Condemn Government Education Policy

The Labour Group on Warrington Council sided with the Tories and refused to back a Liberal Democrat proposal criticising Government Education policy.

This happened at last Monday's Council meeting during a debate on the new Government National Funding Formula.

Lib Dem Cllr Ian Marks said, "We were very happy to support Labour's call for a fairer deal for Warrington schools which has the backing of teachers and governing bodies throughout the town. But we were amazed when they refused to support our amendment criticising the Tory government. From a party that is bitterly divided both nationally and locally this displayed a rare degree of unity. http://www.warringtonlibdems.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/school.jpg

The Tories are pouring billions of pounds into building new free schools while existing state schools are crumbling due to lack of repairs. The Government spending watchdog, the National Audit Office says £14 billion is needed to bring current schools up to a good condition. Many free schools are being built in areas where there is no shortage of capacity putting nearby schools at financial risk.

The Tory Chairman of the Commons Education Committee has said there are significant concerns about the performance, accountability and expansion of multi-academy trusts. The National Association of Headteachers and the National Governors Association have written to the Chancellor saying they are running out of things to cut.

Former Conservative Education Secretary Lord Baker criticised one of his successors Michael Gove for his opposition to University Technical Colleges, which would offer much needed vocational education. Ironically it was the opening of our own UTC which contributed to the closure of Future Tech.

The Prime Minister's pet personal crusade is Grammar Schools even though there was nothing in the Tories' Manifesto about lifting the ban on new grammars. Last weekend senior politicians from each of the three parties joined forces to condemn plans for new grammar schools as damaging to social mobility, ideologically driven and divisive.

Our amendment called on the Government to listen to these concerns and give local authorities like Warrington more say over school provision in their areas. We think this would be the best for our children. Yet Labour refused to support this proposal."