Protestors urge government to curb “reckless” plans

Released 16/07/2010

Education unions rally in Westminster

Members of education unions will rally in Westminster on Monday to call on the government to reconsider "reckless plans" to rush through the Academies Bill and halt funding for the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.

Protestors from Unison, as well members from other education unions will start the Parliamentary lobby at 11.30am, which will include Ed Balls among its speakers. The rally will then take place in the hall at 1pm.

Christina Lewis, Unison's national officer for education, who will be joining members on the day, said: "The government is behaving recklessly by halting the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme without consulting schools or local authorities.

"Some projects will see their funding completely cut off, which will cause chaos in vulnerable communities that are struggling to pull themselves out of recession.

"At the same time that they are making savage cuts, the government is focusing all its efforts on rushing through the new Academies Bill.

"This will see academies benefit from capital investment, regardless of whether they are in areas of greatest need.

"The government needs to stop rushing and slashing and ask the public what they really want."

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