Garth Harkness

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North Ward on Oldham Council Learn more

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Lib Dems announce £36m to give children in Oldham a brighter future

by Garth Harkness on 17 May, 2017

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will invest £36.37 million more in schools and colleges in Oldham over the next parliament. The funding for Oldham would reverse cuts to frontline school and college budgets, protect per pupil funding in real terms and ensure no school loses out from changes to funding arrangements. £2.8 Million of the funding would be spent on protecting the Pupil Premium, introduced by the Liberal Democrats to help the most disadvantaged children. Liberal Democrat candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth Jonathan Smith said:   “Children in Oldham are being taught in overcrowded classes by overworked teachers – but Theresa May doesn’t care. “Under the Conservatives, funding per pupil is set to see the biggest cuts in a generation, while billions of pounds are being spent on divisive plans to expand grammars and free schools.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Oldham West and Royton Garth Harkness added

“This extra £36 million of funding would ensure no school and no child loses out. “As a teacher I have seen first-hand that cuts to education are crippling our schools. We will reverse Conservative cuts to school budgets and invest to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.

“This forms part of a package to build a fairer Britain and ensure no child or young person is left behind. We would triple funding for the early years pupil premium, which gives extra cash to nurseries, preschools and school receptions when they take on children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“The Liberal Democrats will provide a strong opposition to this Conservative government and stand up against cuts to local schools, hospitals and regional funding.”

It forms part of a series of policies the Liberal Democrats are announcing ahead of launching their manifesto, with a focus on giving children and young people a brighter future.

These include:

  • Helping people buy their first home for the same cost as renting, with a new model of ‘Rent to Own’ homes
  • Restoring housing benefit for young people
  • Creating a discounted bus pass for 16-21 year olds, giving a 66% discount
  • Introducing votes at 16 for elections and referendums across the UK

Jonathan Smith, candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth commented

“We want to give young people the best possible start and that is why the Liberal Democrats would:

  • Invest almost £7bn in our schools and colleges
  • Double the number of businesses that take apprenticeships
  • Triple the early years pupil premium
  • Extend free school meals to all primary school students

“We will give children in Oldham and surrounding areas a brighter future, by investing in those from more deprived backgrounds to give them the best possible chance in life. “A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a brighter future for people across Oldham and surrounding areas.”

1,078 children under 4 in Oldham would benefit from Liberal Democrat plans to triple funding for the early years pupil premium, with gives extra cash to nurseries, preschools and school receptions when they take on children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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