Tory cuts to schools are failing our children

Liberal Democrats have slammed the growing inequality in our schools following the release of an Education Policy Institute (EPI) report. The report shows that it would take over 500 years to close the gap between disadvantaged secondary school pupils and their peers at its current rate.

Commenting on these alarming findings, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said "Inequality is growing in the UK and in no other place is this more apparent than in our schools. The Education Policy Institute released a report today showing that it would take over 500 years, at the current rate of change, to close the gap between disadvantaged secondary school pupil and their peers. These shocking findings show us that the Conservative Government's school spending cuts are failing our children. School budgets are not allowing our teachers the resources they need to give all children the opportunities to succeed in life. There is no better investment in this country's future than investment in education. That is why the Liberal Democrats would devote nearly £7 billion extra to our children's education. We will increase school budgets and the Pupil Premium to ensure that those from disadvantaged backgrounds have the same opportunities as though from the most privileged."