Cross-party report slams schools cuts

A report released today by a committee of MPs has issued a stark warning that funding shortages will put education standards at risk. South Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has called on the government to listen to this advice and abandon plans which will see Cumbrian schools facing cuts of £23million by 2020.

The scathing report, produced by a cross-party committee of MPs, warns that the government "does not seem to understand the pressures that schools are already under". Nationally the Conservatives are forcing schools to cut £3billion by 2020. Here in Cumbria, schools face cuts of £23million by 2020, which Head Teachers have warned could mean as many as 625 teachers facing the axe.

The committee concludes that the government's plans are "likely to increase teachers' workload" and "put at risk the quality of education". It argues that it the government presses ahead with savage cuts to education regardless of the impact then it will be "too late for the children who are in school now".

Tim said: "Conservative Ministers are the only ones left who haven't spotted the crisis in schools funding or worse - they're choosing to ignore it. Schools across Cumbria face the impossible task of cutting £23million by 2020. There is no way this can be done without affecting school standards and hitting the life chances of the next generation. As a parent with kids at local schools, I am massively concerned about what these savage cuts will mean. The government should take notice of this report and abandon its damaging plans."