Education is the greatest investment we make for our kids’ future and the economic success of our country. Thats why I am proud to have got funding for Alnwick’s Duchess Community High School back in 2016, saved Scremerston and Norham schools, and we are seeing Amble’s Calvert Spence new buildings going up now. £39 million for Amble schools and £41.2 million allocated for the new school build at Berwick Academy and Berwick partnership. In Morpeth, £6.48 million has just been agreed by our Conservative council for a sports hall at KEVI.
Your Conservative government has boosted school funding to the highest level ever, and ensuring modern fit-for-purpose schools like these is vital for a great environment for our kids to succeed.
Our constituency schools are getting £12 million a year more than when I was first elected in 2015. Even with inflation, that’s £1.3 million more a year. £1,900 per year extra for every child or £417 more per child despite inflation.
There are 27,000 more teachers across the country (with an increased starting salary of £30,000 too), 30 hours free childcare per week from 9 months is being rolled out, while Free School Meals have been extended to more groups of children than under any government.
Our plan is working. Today, 90% of our schools are Good or Outstanding, up from 68% in 2010. Northumberland is the highest performing county in the region, with 94% Good or Outstanding.
Of course there is always more to do. It is also crucial that our schools, colleges and universities teach the skills that businesses need. Bringing together A-Levels and T-Levels and placing academic and technical education on an equal footing, our new Advanced British Standard will make sure British children succeed in the competitive world of work.
Having already delivered almost 5.8m apprenticeships since 2010, the Conservatives would add an additional 100,000 per year.
In my 9 years as your MP I have always put defence, military personnel and families at the heart of my work. Our Armed Forces selflessly have our back, so we must have theirs. The skills our armed forces gain are vital for our defence but also for personal development and opportunity. The Conservatives are committed to the UK’s first ever Veterans Bill, including a guarantee that educational qualifications from Service are correctly recognised in civilian life.
I founded the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces Covenant, which I’m proud this Conservative government enshrined in law so that service families must not be disadvantaged when it comes to education and schooling, alongside other essential services.
There is more to do to support our families effectively across all parts of daily life, but our plan is progressing, so let’s stick with it. I hope I can count on your support on Thursday 4th July.
