Liberal Democrats pledge £7bn to protect education funding
The Liberal Democrats have announced plans to invest nearly £7bn to protect school and college funding, the pupil premium in real terms and CPD if they win the 2017 General Election.
The Liberal Democrats pledged that, over the course of the parliament, they will:
• Protect per pupil funding in real terms in schools (£3.3bn)
• Protect further education per pupil funding in real terms (£660m)
• Ensure no school loses out from the National Funding Formula (£1.26bn)
• Protect the pupil premium in real terms (£415m)
• Invest in continuous professional development for teachers (£165m)
The party said these plans are fully costed and will be detailed in their manifesto, which will be launched in due course.
Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, said:
Children are being taught in overcrowded classes by overworked teachers – but Theresa May doesn’t care.
While funding per pupil is set to see the biggest cuts in a generation, billions are being spent on divisive plans to expand grammars and free schools. The Lib Dems’ extra £7 billion would ensure no school and no child loses out.
Once published, SCHOOLS NorthEast will be reporting on education pledges made in the main political parties’ 2017 General Election manifestos.