29.3.2000

Edward Davey tackles Minister over Kingston's class size plan

Local MP saves Borough's Class size plan from Government backtracking

Edward Davey, Member for Parliament for Kingston & Surbiton, today received confirmation that the Department of Education had finally given the go ahead for a number of schools to expand in line with the Borough's education plans.

After many months of delay, Edward Davey MP was asked by local religious schools and the local authority to bring pressure to bear on the Secretary of State for Education as concerns grew that he was backtracking on Kingston's class size plan.

Edward sprang into action writing a series of letters and demanding urgent action.

Commenting on the announcement, Edward said, "The delay these schools and the local authority experienced was outrageous. Parents, pupils and teachers have been unable to plan for future terms. The Minister's dithering has meant that the schools affected were unable to tell prospective parents what would be happening for next year. In some cases that has made recruitment unnecessarily hard."

"Governors and the local authority have also been concerned by the Government's previous refusal to commit to funding the further expansion that will be required as a result of reducing key stage 1 class sizes."

"I am delighted the Minister has now come up with a positive answer."

"I am sure that it was only a coincidence, that the day after I tackle Tony Blair at question time about educational funding his Minister, after months of delay, finally replied."