Save Our Schools

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st May 2003

Local schools face cash crisis

Croydon Council has left schools in the borough with an £8 million gap in their budgets. Many schools are having to consider cutting jobs to fill the gap.

At a Town Hall debate on education last month, the council's Labour leaders called on Tony Blair's government for more money.

However, Government figures show that Croydon is spending only 90% of this year's extra funding for education, and much of that is not reaching schools. Next door Sutton Council, run by the Lib Dems, is spending the whole 100%.

"This is an appalling mess. Our schools are facing huge financial problems, despite Labour's whopping 27% council tax rise," said Cllr Ian Atkins.

"The council and the Government must get together and sort out this mess before our childrens' education suffers."

Cllr Ian Atkins urged residents to sign the 'Save Our Schools' petition to show their anger.