Every school in Essex to get cash boost- pupils and economy will benefit says Labour candidate

 

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Castle Point has welcomed news that schools across Essex will get extra funding this year. 

As part of the Government's efforts to support local businesses and jobs through the recession, millions of pounds of spending on school buildings and repairs are being brought forward from 2010/11 to 2009/10.  

Every school in Essex will benefit with £10,068,923 of funding brought forward from next year to this year - a total of £35,241,232 of spending this year. The funding will go direct to head teachers and schools can choose how to spend the money as they see fit, from building new classrooms or science laboratories to fitting out new gyms or ICT facilities.

In addition, the Government has allowed Essex County council to bring forward £13,213,052 for larger school building projects co-coordinated by the local authority – making a total of £42,384,595 of spending this year.  

This week's announcements mean a total of £77,625,828 will be spent on school buildings and repairs in Essex from April - £23,281,976 of it brought forward from the following year. 

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour Candidate for Castle Point, said:  

"It's vital that we support the economy at this difficult time, so I'm delighted that every school in our area will benefit from this injection of extra funding this year. 

"This is all part of the Government's efforts to put extra money into the economy this year to help the country through the recession. So I hope local schools will get on and spend the money - not just to improve facilities for pupils but to support small businesses and jobs in our area too. 

 “I urge the Tories on Essex County Council to look again at their response to the Government’s offer to bring forward spending on school building projects coordinated by the Council. It’s a shame that they’ve only decided to bring forward 43.8% of the total available to them to support jobs and businesses in our area. 

"It's disappointing that the Tories oppose our plan to bring forward spending on school buildings. Just at the time when we should be supporting the economy the Tories say they would actually cut spending, including billions of pounds from our school rebuilding program. This would be bad news for local schools and bad news for local businesses.” 

 

Julian Ware-Lane can be contacted on 07989 564743

Charles Willis, his agent, can be contacted on 07788 993377

 

Julian's campaign website:  http://warelane.wordpress.com/