Academies' poor finances show reckless government gambling with children's future says GMB

GMB, the union for school support staff, says new figures showing eight out of 10 academies in deficit show the Government is gambling with our children’s future.

A new reports shows academy budgets are in an even worse state than those of council-run schools - with eight out of 10 in deficit.

Two more years like this and the entire sector could face insolvency, says a report from the Kreston UK accountancy network which looked at 450 schools. [1]

Karen Leonard, GMB National Officer, said:

“This reckless Conservative government is gambling with our children’s futures.

“They are in denial about the impact of cuts to school budgets and refuse to acknowledge that one of their flagship policies simply isn't working.

“School support staff jobs are being slashed in academies up and down the country, and schools just can’t function effectively without them.

“Ultimately, yet again, it is the children who lose out.

“The government keeps saying it will advise schools on how to manage their budgets, but what they really need is more money. It’s as simple as that.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-43435689