'Conservative government must listen to teachers' - Farron addresses Headteachers' conference

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron today addressed the summer conference of the Cumbrian Association of Secondary Headteachers in Bowness on Windermere. Tim said that the balanced parliament was an opportunity to force the government to listen to teachers, and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting against the Conservatives' planned cuts.

Teaching unions have warned that the Conservatives' planned cuts of £28million for Cumbria's schools could lead to the loss of 746 teachers across the county, which Tim has warned would have a "devastating" impact on local schools.

Tim has written to all Headteachers in his constituency, and the responses and meetings that have already come from that paint an alarming picture. Many Heads are already planning on cutting teachers and teaching assistants to try to make ends meet.

Tim gave a speech to the conference, before taking part in a Q&A.

Tim said: "If the Conservatives press ahead with their plans to slash schools funding, it is the next generation who will pay the price. Conservative cuts could lead to over 700 teachers being cut across Cumbria, leaving our children taught by overworked teachers in overcrowded schools.

"However, the Conservatives now only have a tiny majority in parliament. This means we have a unique opportunity to force the government to listen. I am determined to use this chance to make sure that teachers' warnings are heard, and to force the government to backtrack on its plans for cuts.

"If Theresa May can find a billion pounds to buy the votes of the DUP, she should find the money to invest in our children's future and give every child a fair chance in life."