Summary
Rebuilding programme and neglected services are priorities
Commenting on the government’s commitment to preserve education spending, UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said today (Sunday):
“Ministers inherited a financial mess from the previous government, so protection for the education budget is good news.
“School buildings have been allowed to slide into disrepair, or fall apart entirely in some cases, for far too long. Ensuring the rebuilding programme is given a high priority is vital to strip out crumbling concrete and asbestos so pupils and staff are kept safe.
“Support for early years learning and disadvantaged pupils in particular has suffered and needs boosting.
“As the economy begins to grow and more money becomes available, it’ll be vital that further investment in schools, so children and young people get the education they deserve.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 684794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk