LABOUR MP for Coventry South Zarah Sultana has slammed the Conservative Government’s education recovery fund in Parliament.
Ms Sultana confronted Education Secretary Gavin Williamson MP and comparing the UK’s £50 per pupil plan with the £2,500 being invested in the Netherlands and £1,600 in the USA.
She argued that it was ‘no surprise working class kids were being failed’ when we have an ‘old Etonian, Bullingdon boy Prime Minister, a Chancellor whose school fees are in excess of £40,000 a year, and an overwhelmingly privately educated Cabinet’.
Last week the announcement of the education catch-up fund triggered the resignation of Sir Kevan Collins, the Government’s education recovery commissioner.
Ms Sultana said: “It’s not the children of people like Boris Johnson or super-rich Rishi Sunak whose futures have been hit hardest by the pandemic – it’s children here in Coventry, where one in three are already living in poverty.
“That’s why the Conservatives’ pitiful education recovery fund is so disgraceful.
“Tomorrow I will be voting to reject these scandalous proposals and will keep fighting to get the investment every child and young person in Coventry needs to have the best possible start in life.”
Announcing the fund last week, Mr Williamson said: “This is the third major package of catch-up funding in 12 months and demonstrates we are taking a long-term, evidence-based approach to help children of all ages.
“I am incredibly proud it recognises the efforts and dedication of our teachers who are at the forefront of children’s recovery – making sure every teacher has the opportunity to access world-leading training, giving them the skills and tools to help every child they work with to fulfil their potential.”
• WHAT do you think of the Government’s education catch-up fund proposal? Do you think it is adequate or does more need to be invested? Email your views to [email protected]
