Chloe Smith MP: Conservatives have more than doubled spending on new school places

Member of Parliament for Norwich North today commented on figures from the Department of Education which demonstrate that the Conservatives in Government are spending over £5 billion on new school places. This includes over £65 million in Norfolk’s schools.

 

Chloe has spoken out before about 'beating the bulge' in primary school places required in north Norwich and will continue to work with schools, parents and the Local Authority on the issue.

 

Figures show that funding for new school places across the country has increased to £5 billion in 2011/15, more than double that spent by Labour – who actually cut school places by 200,000. A further £2.35 billion of funding has also been announced for 2015/17.

 

Schools in Norfolk will receive over £43 million in additional funding than they received under Labour

Chloe commented:

 

‘Labour were warned repeatedly that they hadn’t done enough to plan for a growing population – instead they actually cut places in the middle of a baby boom.

 

‘That’s why I welcome the swift action taken by the Government to double the funding for school places across the country. This will deliver over 1500 extra primary places in Norfolk by 2016.

 

‘This Government’s action will ensure we can deliver the best schools for our young people so that they have the skills they need to get on in life.’