Find out what people are saying about the Comprehensive Spending review.
Allegra Stratton, Political Correspondent, the Guardian: “Forty thousand teachers across England will lose their jobs as a result of today’s spending settlement, a confidential internal projection made by civil servants at the Department for Education predicts.”
Julian Stanley, Chief Executive of Recourse says: “It is easy to assume that as teachers and lecturers have good conditions of service, that they are somehow immune to the effects of economic turbulence and budget reductions. This is not the case.
We know from the marked rise in money related use of our support services between May and September this year compared to the same period last year that those working in post 16 education are already concerned about their financial situation. We know from the grants that we give young teachers and lecturers and families, who have lost income through redundancy and incapacity to pay priority bills like council tax, that the current situation poses real risks to teachers’ sense of security, wellbeing and efficacy.
It is vital that deficit-reductions don’t damage the next generation. Too many teachers and lecturers have already been hindered by money worries in recent years, and this can threaten the quality of education students receive.
As the only charity providing support to teachers and lecturers, we are uniquely placed to offer help to those in need, but we urge schools, local authorities and national governments to help us ensure that everyone working in post 16 education is given the resources and support they need to delivery the best possible
education to our future workforce.”
Sally Hunt, General Secretary of University College Union (UCU) says:“It is hard to see the rationale behind slashing college and university budgets when they generate massive economic growth for the country and when the alternative is more people on the dole and the state losing out on millions in tax revenues.
“We are appalled to learn that education maintenance allowances are at risk and funding for people who do not speak English is being abolished. The simple message here seems to be ‘don’t be poor’.
“It was interesting that George Osborne chose to start his CSR by saying that he did not wish to saddle our children with debts the government was not willing to pay. He clearly has not read last week’s Browne review of university funding.
“It’s no good the chancellor describing universities as the jewel in our economic crown and then following those warm words up with massive cuts. Every MP with a college or university in or near their constituency should be clear that the cuts will put those institutions at risk.”
Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) says : The cuts announced in the Government’s spending review are a retrograde step and will have a devastating impact on vital public services, including education.
The Government may talk about protecting schools, but schools are not protected and nor are local authorities. Attacks are already being made on additional education funding outside of the core schools budget, with vital frontline services to schools already under threat. There will be a total real reduction in the education department’s spending of 3% by 2014 -15.
Teachers are faced with a pay freeze and cuts to pensions which mean they have to work longer for less. Teachers will see this as a long way short of the ‘gold standard’ George Osborne describes.
The Chancellor’s speech today leaves a lot of key questions unanswered. It is still not clear whether the student premium is new money, or if the funding for Sure Start is protected in real terms. Even in relation to school funding, to say that per student funding will be maintained in ‘cash terms’ points towards a per student cut in funding in real terms. The Chancellor will need to reassure parents and teachers on this point.
There are alternatives to the cuts outlined by the Chancellor which would not damage the country’s existing social fabric and future well being. Education spending, like all public sector spending, is an investment in our future.”
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Schools said: “Some schools … will find … they can carry on doing a brilliant job because the money is there to fund everything. There’ll be other schools where the money will be tighter and where efficiencies will be demanded and … some people may move on and their jobs will not be replaced.”
To have your say, join our discussion forum here.
If you are concerned about how the Comprehensive Spending Review will affect you or your school, try our new factsheet:
