National Education Union responds to the Budget

Commenting on the Chancellor’s Budget Speech, delivered today in the Commons, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:

“The Chancellor has shown in this budget the depth of his ignorance on school funding. Schools have a £2 billion shortfall in funding a year – which is set to get worse. Capital funding has been cut by a third. A £400 million one off payment for ‘little extras’ will do nothing to address this.

‘The Government has promised more money for potholes than schools in this Budget. Schools are struggling to provide a full and well-rounded education and many schools have fallen into debt – money for ‘little extras’ won’t cut it. Parents, teachers, headteachers and school staff will be dismayed. 

‘Austerity will continue for children despite the Chancellor’s claims. The NEU will continue to campaign for our schools to get the funding they need to give children the education they deserve. The NEU will be meeting other teachers’ unions as a matter of urgency”.