17/04/00

Kingston's school children placed at risk by Government under funding

Kingston & Surbiton's MP, Edward Davey, has condemned the Government for short changing local schools in their latest funding announcement.

Mr Davey received notification direct from the Minister that five major projects would receive funding; however this still leaves a shortfall of over £2 million on the Borough's original bid.

Among the many projects not included in the Governments' announcement are important fire safety measures which are urgently required in many of the Boroughs' schools.

Commenting on the Government's award, Edward Davey said,

"The Governments' latest announcement will leave many local parents and teachers frustrated by the fact that local pupils will have to continue to endure the consequences of years of Government under funding."

"It is completely unacceptable that some of our children are still being taught in damp and crumbling class rooms. To add insult to injury, children and staff will remain at risk because of Ministerial penny pinching."

"There were over 1,500 fires in schools in the UK in 1998 and it is clear that we should make their safety a top priority."