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PM makes education appeal to electorate
Tony Blair has outlined 10 key education pledges to be included in Labour's election manifesto.
Speaking in his Sedgefield constituency on Sunday, the prime minister formally accepted his local party's nomination as its candidate again.
He used his speech to focus Labour's campaign on education and contrast his record in office with that of the Conservatives.
Previewing the "Britain forward not back" manifesto to be published this week, he said "at the heart of it will be education".
"Education has been, is and will be the driving mission of a New Labour government: to give our children, all our children not just those at the top, the best start in life, the best chance to succeed," Blair said.
Promises
He unveiled the 10 promises - including increasing investment in every year of the next parliament, "proper school meals", four hours sport per week for every child and 3,500 children's centres by 2010 - after slamming the "education crisis we inherited".
"Here is what I mean by putting education at the heart of our manifesto. Here is how we will accelerate the change, making standards rise even faster," he said.
"Education: the best economic policy, preparing Britain for the future," Blair added.
"Education: the best social policy, helping create a Britain where work and merit, not privilege or class background, decide how far you go.
"Education: the best liberator of any human being's potential."
'Opting out'
Appealing to disillusioned Labour supporters he said "opting out" of the election by abstaining would help the Conservatives.
"If you value economic stability you have to vote for it," Blair argued.
"If you value the New Deal or the minimum wage or tax credits, you have to vote for them. If you value more childcare, you have to vote for it.
"If you value the NHS you have to vote for it. If you value investment in state schools you have to vote for it.
"Only if you want to take Britain back to economic failure, public service cuts, communities torn apart, should you opt out of this election."
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Published: Sun, 10 Apr 2005 15:17:00 GMT+01
Author: Daniel Forman
Labour's education pledges:
- We will increase investment every year and raise spending on education as a proportion of our national income, so that spending per pupil will rise from £2,900 in 1997 to £3,850 in 2005 to £5,500 by 20082.
- We will guarantee every school three year budgets with year on year increases so that heads, staff and parents can take charge, enjoy greater freedom and are able to use that investment to develop their school in the way that they want.
- We will provide the resources to hire more primary and secondary school teachers. They will be better paid. There will be more classroom assistants, better paid.
- We will provide for 1,000 secondary schools and thousands more primary schools either to be completely rebuilt, or with the new classrooms, sports halls and computer centres they need.
- We will provide proper school meals.
- We will guarantee four hours sport per week for every child who wants it.
- We will provide more free nursery education. More pre-school and after-school clubs, properly funded.
- We will have 3,500 children's centres by 2010, extending Sure Start, not in some parts of Britain but in all parts of Britain.
- We will guarantee 300,000 apprenticeships for school leavers and new vocational diplomas in schools.
- We will guarantee free training for all young people and adults who left school without decent GCSEs.
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