• LAST week, the Labour Party pledged to stop cuts to schools budgets and increase funding in real terms if it formed the next government.

This will be welcome news for teachers, parents and pupils who are experiencing first-hand the impacts of the Tories’ damaging cuts to schools’ budgets.

Every child has the right to reach their full potential and schools must have the funding they need to provide an excellent education for all.

Unfortunately, the Tories’ cuts and planned changes to how they fund schools make this more difficult to achieve.

Under the Tories’ planned funding changes, schools in Islington South will lose £583 per pupil between 2015 and 2019, and this rises to £603 per pupil in Islington North. These cuts will be to the detriment of our children’s futures, as schools are forced to make savings or reduce resources.

Thanks to the dedication of parents, teachers and community, Islington schools have gone from strength to strength. Since 2010, GCSE results have jumped from 143rd out of 151 local authorities to the top third.

Islington primary schools are in the top 10 in the country for helping children from poorer backgrounds achieve good results. We cannot risk this progress with further cuts.

Only a Labour government will deliver the funding our schools need so they can ensure a bright future for our children. On June 8, we have a chance to make this a reality at the ballot box.

CLLR JOE CALUORI
Labour executive member for children, young people and families, Islington Council