Lib Dem Calls For School Funding Rethink

Written by Cllr Barry Stamp on Sun 16th Jan 2005

Stafford's would be Liberal Democrat MP has today highlighted his party's pledge to scrap the government's child trust funds scheme and invest the money into early years education instead.

Barry Stamp said he was appalled that Gordon Brown was quite prepared to put £1 billion in his child trust fund scheme, while children currently in early years and primary education were suffering from lack of adequate funding.

Speaking at a meeting of members in Stafford Barry Stamp said if the Government was serious about putting children first they should scrap the child trust fund.

"As someone who has been involved in education in the Stafford area for many years, both as a teacher and school governor, I am only too aware of the funding crisis facing many local schools. The early years of schooling are very important for all pupils but this fact seems to have been lost on the present Government. Before coming to power in 1997 the Labour Government promised fairer funding for Staffordshire schools, however as we all know this has never been forthcoming. This week Gordon Brown officially launched his child trust fund scheme which will effectively tie up over £1 billion so that a bit of cash can be given to every 18 year old in 2020. I believe that this money would be better used now to improve the education of every child rather than left languishing in a back for years. For instance if the money was diverted to schools today class sizes for five to seven year olds in schools in the Stafford and Penkridge area could be reduced to 20. Britain cannot afford to postpone investing in our children," said Barry Stamp.

"Scrapping the child trust fund scheme and using the money now to boost spending on early years and primary education is approved Liberal Democrat policy and one which I wholeheartedly support", added Barry Stamp.