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06/09/2004
Tories pledge to axe 'educational bureaucracy'
The Tories have claimed that they could redirect £5.7 billion a year back into schools by axing thousands of civil servants, cutting back on local education authorities and scrapping quangos.
The Opposition said that school spending could be dramatically stepped up by slashing back on "educational bureaucracy in central and local government".
According to Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin and Shadow Education Secretary Tim Collins the education plans – based on the latest results from the James Review of Government waste – meant that more than £1 billion a year could be pumped into frontline schooling; the equivalent of £158 for each pupil in Britain.
The cash could be used to hire more teachers and buy more books and computers – while other savings could be poured into school buildings, maintenance and equipment, the Tory frontbenchers said.
Oliver Letwin said: "The Education Department typifies the fat and bloated bureaucracy that Labour has created. These proposals will remove vast swathes of unnecessary government control over education spending, and put large sums of extra cash in the front line where it belongs."
Mr Collins said that few would miss the "quangos, bureaucracies and paper-shuffling empires" which will be swept away as part of the Tory proposals.
"Nothing could more clearly demonstrate our determination to set teachers and schools free, and to make them answerable downwards to parents not upwards to Whitehall," he added.
However, the Lib Dems slammed the plans, claiming they would mean less money for pupils with special needs.
Lib Dem Shadow Education Secretary, Phil Willis, said: "Local Authorities are looking after children with special needs and are responsible for school transport. The Tories seem to see nothing wrong with cuttings in these two vital sectors.
"These proposals are recycled versions of William Hague’s failed policies. They are bad news for pupils with special educational needs and bad news for families who rely on school transport."
(gmcg/mb)
The Opposition said that school spending could be dramatically stepped up by slashing back on "educational bureaucracy in central and local government".
According to Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin and Shadow Education Secretary Tim Collins the education plans – based on the latest results from the James Review of Government waste – meant that more than £1 billion a year could be pumped into frontline schooling; the equivalent of £158 for each pupil in Britain.
The cash could be used to hire more teachers and buy more books and computers – while other savings could be poured into school buildings, maintenance and equipment, the Tory frontbenchers said.
Oliver Letwin said: "The Education Department typifies the fat and bloated bureaucracy that Labour has created. These proposals will remove vast swathes of unnecessary government control over education spending, and put large sums of extra cash in the front line where it belongs."
Mr Collins said that few would miss the "quangos, bureaucracies and paper-shuffling empires" which will be swept away as part of the Tory proposals.
"Nothing could more clearly demonstrate our determination to set teachers and schools free, and to make them answerable downwards to parents not upwards to Whitehall," he added.
However, the Lib Dems slammed the plans, claiming they would mean less money for pupils with special needs.
Lib Dem Shadow Education Secretary, Phil Willis, said: "Local Authorities are looking after children with special needs and are responsible for school transport. The Tories seem to see nothing wrong with cuttings in these two vital sectors.
"These proposals are recycled versions of William Hague’s failed policies. They are bad news for pupils with special educational needs and bad news for families who rely on school transport."
(gmcg/mb)
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13 January 2004
LEAs rubber-stamp Clarke's funding plans
Education Secretary Charles Clarke has welcomed the decision by most local education authorities to pass on the full funding increase to schools next year. Out of 148 local education authorities (LEAs) in England, 144 are proposing to pass on or 'passport' all or more than the basic increase in schools funding to their schools budgets.
LEAs rubber-stamp Clarke's funding plans
Education Secretary Charles Clarke has welcomed the decision by most local education authorities to pass on the full funding increase to schools next year. Out of 148 local education authorities (LEAs) in England, 144 are proposing to pass on or 'passport' all or more than the basic increase in schools funding to their schools budgets.
29 June 2004
Tories pledge education spending rise to boost 'choice'
The Tories have set their sights on creating the equivalent of up to 260 new secondary schools, and ensuring that 100,000 more parents can send their children to first choice schools, if voted into government at the next general election.
Tories pledge education spending rise to boost 'choice'
The Tories have set their sights on creating the equivalent of up to 260 new secondary schools, and ensuring that 100,000 more parents can send their children to first choice schools, if voted into government at the next general election.
02 May 2003
LEAs hold £590m in funds says Clarke
Education Secretary Charles Clarke has published figures that show Local Education Authorities in England have £590 million in funding that has yet to be allocated to schools. The figures show that a fifth of LEAs have more than £5 million to allocate to schools budgets in some areas.
LEAs hold £590m in funds says Clarke
Education Secretary Charles Clarke has published figures that show Local Education Authorities in England have £590 million in funding that has yet to be allocated to schools. The figures show that a fifth of LEAs have more than £5 million to allocate to schools budgets in some areas.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
