MINISTER REJECTS CALL FROM GUILDFORD MP TO ADDRESS FUNDING SHORTAGES FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 8th Mar 2004

Sue Doughty MP obtained an adjournment debate in parliament yesterday on the funding of Guildford Schools. It was an important opportunity to directly challenge the Schools Minister, David Milliband MP, on the funding shortages that are forcing head teachers and governors to make cuts.

Sue said:

"The Minister's response was hopelessly inadequate. He accused me of painting a black picture, but I consulted all the schools in Guildford ahead of the debate and was only telling the Minister what our head teachers have told me.

"David Milliband is the ultimate New Labour Minister, for whom parliament and MPs like me are an inconvenience rather than part of the democratic process. Instead of taking on board the real problems that local schools are having, he threw figures at me like an aloof general closing his ears to bad news from troops on the ground.

"Guildford's schools need better from the government. At the very least our hard working teachers deserve to be listened to instead of being fobbed off. I will continue to battle on behalf of our schools, parents and pupils until Ministers begin to listen."