INVESTMENT INTO EDUCATION MUST REACH GUILDFORD SAYS DOUGHTY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 17th Mar 2004

Commenting on today's Budget announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown MP, Sue Doughty MP said:

"The increased funding for education will be welcomed by schools. But money must go directly to each school and pupil and not just to those in marginal Labour areas.

"Following the parliamentary debate on funding for Guildford schools that I secured with the Education Minister, David Milliband MP, I'm not convinced that this injection of funding will go where it needs to. The Minister was not interested in hearing the problems our local schools and Head teachers are facing, and without listening they cannot possibly hope to improve the situation.

"The money, if distributed fairly, could go along way to helping our grossly under funded schools avoid staff cuts and budgets deficits."

A further budget statement announced that the Government will give £100 pounds to help the elderly households with Council Tax bills. Sue Doughty said:

"The Chancellor has not even provided a long term solution. The £100 bonus is just a sticking plaster for this year. Pensioners need permanent relief from the Council Tax millstone that Labour has created. Quick fixes such as these are just not adequate - the Council Tax must be scrapped."