Cumbrian MP demands better for our schools

Yesterday, on the floor of the House of Commons, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron challenged the Department for Education on school funding.

During a ministerial statement from the Department, Tim raised concerns that whilst teachers had received deserved, if modest, pay rises schools had not been given the funds they needed to pay for them.

Tim also raised concerns about the energy crisis and the lack of support schools have received to support their much larger energy costs. He said: "I've visited many schools in Westmorland in the last few weeks. Appleby to Windermere, Kendal to Brough, Shap to Witherslack and many others.

"They all tell me that the deserved pay rises for teachers and other staff are unfunded by the Government, that the energy costs that they've seen go through the roof are also largely unfunded.

"Leaving many in deficit and many having to shed staff. All of this, of course, undermines their ability to provide childcare as well as other forms of education."

Tim asked for the Department's for Education Minister, Claire Coutinho's support in this matter.

In response, the Minister merely shrugged off the concerns whilst defending the Government's position that inflation must come down so schools can: "make the pounds go stronger.".

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "Clearly, I was really disappointed by the Minister's response.

"She showed little acknowledgement of the concerns that have been raised with me time and time again by local teachers.

"We trust teachers to look after our children, yet the Government can't seem to give them enough respect and consideration to even provide the basic funds they need to educate our children."