FUNDING for schools in the town has been “slashed” by 70 per cent according to Warrington North MP Helen Jones.
In response to a Parliamentary Question from the MP, Nick Gibb, Minister for Schools, revealed that capital funding for schools has been slashed by 70 per cent in Warrington compared to 2010/11.
Ms Jones said she was “appalled” that the Government has slashed funding for school buildings in Warrington by 70 per cent – from £19.3 million to £5.6 million for next year.
She said: “Children need to be taught in suitable buildings and I am worried about the effect that not being able to improve classrooms and facilities will have on Warrington children’s education.”
She said the cuts on new building also had an impact on construction jobs for local people. With fewer building projects, she said, there will be fewer jobs available.
“Under the Labour Government thousands of schools were improved or rebuilt, including the new Culcheth High School. Sadly, one of the first acts of this Government was to cancel the programme that delivered so many new schools and they haven’t announced a replacement yet,” she said.
Ms Jones said Department for Education figures for capital funding over the past five years for Warrington schools was £12.7 million (2006/7), £11.7 million (2007/8), £14 million (2008/9), £37.6 million (2009/10) and £19.3 million in the current year.
For 2011/12, she said the figure will be £5.6 million.
FUNDING for schools in the town has been "slashed" by 70 per cent according to Warrington North MP Helen Jones.
MP appalled at spending cuts
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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“Under the Labour Government thousands of schools were improved or rebuilt, including the new Culcheth High School. Sadly, one of the first acts of this Government was to cancel the programme that delivered so many new schools and they haven’t announced a replacement yet,” she said.”
And I wonder why? Could it be anything to do with the fact that there is a huge debt and that the country cannot afford to keep spending? Labour thought that throwing money(that they didn’t have) at everything would make people like them. You just cannot do that. Take a reality check woman.
“Ms Jones??”….. thought she was Mrs Vobe???
Sorry Ms Jones / Vobe but 13 years of your lot wasting money means there are no funds left. The Building Schools for the future scheme was overly bureaucratic and spent too much time and money on PR exercises.