PRESS RELEASE

22 April 2003

Ottaway demands education meeting

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, has demanded a meeting with Schools Minister, David Milliband MP, to discuss the financial crisis at Woodcote High School.

He will also be attending the special Council meeting on 28th April, requisitioned by the Conservative Group in Croydon to discuss the schools funding crisis in the Borough.

Richard Ottaway says:-

"The funding crisis in Croydon's schools is deepening. Woodcote High is one of many schools facing a budget deficit this year. It requires a 7% increase in its budget to cover a number of items which are outside of its control. These include an increase in teachers' pay and allowances, national insurance contributions and pensions, together with the phased increase in the capacity of the school requested by Croydon LEA."

"Against that the Government gave Croydon Council an increase in its education budget of 3.5% and, out of that, Woodcote High has only been given an increase of 0.8%. As a result it is facing the prospect of setting a deficit budget of over £250,000 this year."

"As the Minister was prepared to meet my Croydon colleagues, Malcolm Wicks and Geraint Davies, I feel it is high time he agrees to meet me. This education funding crisis is not restricted to the north of the Borough. The education of children in the south of the borough will suffer as well and I have demanded a meeting with the Minister as a matter of urgency."

ends.

For further information, please call 020 7219 6392.