Liberal Democrats pledge £16.6 million for education in Bedfordshire

Henry Vann is backing plans to offer every child in Bedford and Kempston a fair chance.

The plans launched by Nick Clegg would put £2.5 billion into education to reduce class sizes, offer more one-to-one tuition and give all children a fair start.

Henry said: "The pupil premium will bring funding for disadvantaged children up to the level of private education. This will mean smaller class sizes - helping teachers to teach and children to get the most out of their education.

"It would also support more one-to-one tuition and out of school activities, giving all children the fairest start in life.

"After 13 years of Labour, they have failed to deliver on smaller classes, the poorest children are only half as likely to get 5 good GCSEs as their better-off classmates, and some children are in classes that are so big they are actually illegal."

The pupil premium policy includes specific proposals for £16.6 million to be invested in Bedfordshire's children.

The money will be targeted at schools taking on children who need more help, but will benefit every child in every school. The cash can be used to cut class sizes and provide one-to-one tuition or catch-up classes, ensuring every child gets the individual attention they need.