ImmediateRelease 5June 2003

Charles Clarke speech to the Local Government Association conference

Commenting on CharlesClarkes speech to the Local Government Association conference, Doug McAvoy, General Secretary of theNational Union of Teachers, said:

Charles Clarke isbeginning to recognise the problem and his responsibility for the fundingcrisis but not the solution.

Shortfalls in fundingwill lead to a swathe of cuts in teaching posts and teacher redundancies thisyear.

He still refuses torecognise the obvious. Promises fornext year will appear meaningless. There must be further money for schools forthis coming year.

It is not good enoughto blame job losses and teacher redundancies on falling pupil numbers. Schools were promised unprecedented fundingincreases by this Government. Teachersexpected improved provision and reduced workload not the prospect of redundancies.

E N D S pr.46.03

For furtherinformation contact the NUT press office on 020 7380 4706.