Union backs Lib Dem plans

Released 02/03/2010

Association of Teachers and Lecturers back manifesto funding plans

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has backed Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg's recent announcement on education (click here).

The union supports the Party's manifesto plans to introduce 'pupil premiums' worth £2.5 billion, designed to support those on free school meals schemes to get the most out of the opportunities afforded them by education.

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, said: "Nick Clegg says what every teacher and lecturer knows: that parental support makes a big difference to how well children do in school and college.

"Families need as much support as possible to give their children a good start in life and it's in all our interests that this happens to avoid condemning more young people to becoming Neets (not in education, employment or training)."

However, she cautioned that the union will be less supportive of the plans if it emerges funding for them will be raised from "ill-thought out" reductions to other parts of the education budget.

Bousted added that ATL also supports Clegg's calls for reduced class sizes and increased one-to-one tuition for struggling pupils.

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