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Press Release

NUT endorses Archbishop of Canterbury’s criticism of Government policy

9 June 2011

Commenting on the Archbishop of Canterbury's scathing attack on the Government's health, education and welfare reforms Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' union said;

"The Archbishop of Canterbury is simply adding his voice to the many that believe the route this coalition Government is going down is wrong.

"It is indeed with 'widespread suspicion' that David Cameron's Big Society is viewed. You cannot dismantle public sector provision and glibly talk of replacing many important services such as our libraries with some sort of ad hoc volunteer scheme. It shows what scant knowledge the Government has of the importance of our public services and the huge difference they make to peoples lives.

"The Archbishop is also correct to draw attention to the alarming way in which reforms to both education and the health service are being implemented. Such is the strength of feeling against proposed changes to the NHS that the Prime Minister has had to offer personal assurance to the country that it is safe from both his own government and his health minister.

"The Government's attack on the very existence of democratically accountable, free state comprehensive education through its academies and free schools programme is wrong from the start. It is privatisation on a grand scale and it is unacceptable that such a significant shift in the provision of education in this country has been done in such haste.

"Government policy on education with its cuts to budgets, reduction in the EMA, and extortionate tuition fees, will set the expectations and aspirations of the majority of people in this country back decades. The Government needs to be challenged on the economic and political course it has set. The NUT will work alongside the TUC to defend our public services and our schools."



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National Union of Teachers

National Union of Teachers

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