NEU comments on Starmer speech ahead of Budget

Commenting on the Prime Minister's speech ahead of Wednesday's Budget, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:

“We hope that the Budget on Wednesday lays out a more ambitious vision for education.

“While we welcome the £1.4 bn announced for school buildings, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Schools and colleges are at breaking point. Funding is completely inadequate to provide the quality and breadth of education children and young people deserve.

“Child poverty is having a significant impact on the lives and education of far too many children. This needs to be addressed, starting with the end of the unnecessary and cruel two-child benefit cap Free school meals for all has already proven a success in London's primary schools, and should be expanded nationally.

“Educators suffered huge pay cuts under the Conservatives. Investing properly in education, including reversing the pay cuts, is essential to delivering the economic growth the Prime Minister talked about.”