MPs press for urgent funding to avert looming primary school place crisis

5.56.00pm GMT Tue 3rd Mar 2009

The borough's MPs Tom Brake and Paul Burstow made an urgent plea to the Government today for funds to prevent a shortage in primary school places in the borough which could hit as early as this autumn.

Speaking today in a parliamentary debate the local MPs set out the circumstances which have led to the school shortage and how vital it is that the Government release money almost immediately to increase the capacity of local schools.

Without funding for more primary schools places by 2011 there will be 147 to 271 children without a classroom place, rising to between 209 and 337 in the following school year, 2012-13.

The MPs warned the Minister that unless the Government gives the green light to £4.8 million of emergency funding to pay for two existing schools to be upgraded and two more schools to be expanded over 100 children face the prospect of no place in a reception class in September 2009.

Commenting after the debate, Paul Burstow MP said;

"The borough's primary schools are already full. Some parents already have difficulties getting their children into the primary school of their choice. Unless Education Ministers listen and acts classfuls of children will be left standing at the school gate for want of a school place this September.

"We need the Government to act now; there isn't time for lengthy reviews and consultations otherwise these children will have nowhere to go. At the very least £4.8 million is needed now. What ever happened to Labour's priority of education, education, education?"

Tom Brake MP added:

"This is 'Alice in Wonderland' politics. Bankers get billions to bale them out of a disaster brought on by their own greed and incompetence and pensions thirty times a teacher's salary. Yet our primary schools are starved of the cash they need to build the extra classrooms and provide a lasting legacy of good schools to our children."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For the full text of Mr Burstow and Mr Brake's contributions go to - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090303/halltext/90303h0006.htm