Labour and Lib Dems promise billions of pounds for schools

The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has today (10 May) announced plans to stop the cuts to school budgets with a real term increase in funding. On a campaign visit to a college in Leeds, he pledged £5.66 billion in additional annual funding for UK schools by the end of parliament, funded by a hike in corporation tax.

Under the party’s plans, school class sizes would be reduced to under 30 for all five-, six- and seven-year-olds, with funding made available to ensure schools have the number of places they need and that buildings are ‘up to standard’.

Labour has previously pledged to give free school meals to all primary age children, funded by levying VAT on private school fees.

Jeremy Corbyn said, ‘The Conservatives have spent seven years starving schools of funding, meaning headteachers are having to send begging letters to parents to ask for money.  

‘Labour will do things differently. Our new National Education Service will transform our schools and education system to ensure a future for the many not the few. We will reverse the Conservatives’ tax giveaways to big business and put money back where it belongs, in our schools, our colleges and our communities.’

The Liberal Democrats have also announced they will invest nearly £7bn more in schools and colleges over the next parliament to ensure no school and no child loses out.

Liberal Democrat shadow education secretary Sarah Olney said, ‘Children are being taught in overcrowded classes by overworked teachers - but Theresa May doesn't care.

‘While funding per pupil is set to see the biggest cuts in a generation, billions of pounds are being spent on divisive plans to expand grammars and free schools.

‘We will reverse crippling Conservative cuts to school budgets and invest to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.’