Betrayed! Labour forces local education cuts

12.00.00am GMT Fri 1st Mar 2002

Prospective councillor Andrew Dakers outside his first school, Isleworth Town

After initially proposing cuts targeted on nursery nurses Labour has now set its sights on cutting education spending in Hounslow across the board. The result is that some Hounslow schools are now talking about doubling up classes.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Ray Fincher has been arguing for over a decade for increased education spending in Hounslow. At present the Labour group does not even meet the government's recommended education spending. LibDems have campaigned constantly for annual spending to increase by over £1 million.

Prospective Councillor Harjinder Singh says:

"I think that in the borough of Hounslow it is absolutely vital to safeguard the level of spending on education... Liberal Democrats will find the means to increase Education spending rather than cut it."

"With a Labour government, a Labour dominated Greater London Assembly (GLA) and 34 years of Labour control over Hounslow council, it is vital that we have a 'change of guard'. A LibDem council would not only be more honest and open in its procedures, but would also expose which increases in local tax and spending cuts are caused by the Labour government."