Breaking down the Barriers to Opportunity: Labour’s Plan for Schools
Research from the National Education Union shows that 84% of schools in Stockport constituency have suffered cuts to funding in real terms since 2010. These cuts equate to a loss of over £5.4 million from schools’ budgets and a £483 fall in funding for each pupil in Stockport constituency. This is unacceptable.
I am concerned that the underfunding of our schools has led to increasing class sizes. If we form the next government, Labour will recruit 6,500 new state schoolteachers to fill vacancies and boost education outcomes in Stockport and across Britain. This pledge is fully costed and will be funded by ending the VAT loophole given to private schools.
Since my election in 2019, I have seen a huge increase in the number of parents contacting me about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are being delayed for months, as is access to other services including educational psychology, occupation therapy and speech and language support.
Lengthy Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting lists also prevent many children from receiving timely support. I raised this issue regularly in the last Parliament, and also met with Stockport Council on multiple occasions to discuss efforts to improve waiting times for these key services. If I am re-elected, I will continue to work tirelessly to address this. You can read more about my work on this issue here: An update on SEND provision in Stockport.
Labour has committed to reforming SEND provision. We will take a community-wide approach, improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs. We will make sure admissions decisions account for the needs of communities and require all schools to cooperate with their local authority on school admissions, SEND inclusion, and place planning. If we form the next government, I will be proud to support Labour as it pursues these policies to improve SEN provision so that all children can access the support they need to thrive.
You can read more about Labour’s plan for schools here: labour.org.uk/updates/stories/labours-plan-for-schools/.
