Navendu Mishra

DOES the Conservative Government believe that the futures of children growing up today are less worthy of investment than previous generations?

This is one of the questions raised by recent figures from the National Education Union, which reveal the huge cuts faced by schools in Stockport and across Britain since the Conservatives’ election in 2010.

The data shows that 84% of schools in Stockport constituency have suffered cuts to funding in real terms since 2010. These cuts equate to a loss of over £3 million from schools’ budgets and a £392 fall in funding for each pupil in Stockport. This bleak picture is mirrored throughout the country, and the impact on our schools is undeniable.

Many schools are struggling to finance the basics, let alone deal with crumbling buildings, address an attendance crisis and support the growing numbers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

I share widespread concerns that issues with SEND provision have reached a critical point.

The number of complaints upheld by England’s local government ombudsman involving SEND provision has surged by over 60% since last year, as I heard at a parliamentary event hosted by SEND Reform calling on the Government to make this crisis a priority. Rising need for SEND services has coincided with years of drastic cuts to local authority funding from the Government since 2010. This has contributed to significant delays in the processing of applications for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) amongst young people with SEND, thus delaying their access to vital educational support.

I have heard about the impact of the crisis in SEND provision from parents and carers in our constituency, and this was a key point of discussion in my recent meeting with Stockport Council about education services. Council representatives highlighted the strain on schools caused by issues relating to funding and placement numbers.

I am grateful to all education professionals and support staff in Stockport, who work hard to support young people in our town amidst this challenging climate.

I recently hosted a meeting at my office with staff and students from Pure College, a specialist employment college in Stockport for young people with SEND.

A thoughtful discussion led by the students showed how they are empowered to engage and achieve by the college’s dedicated staff.

All young people deserve access to an education that enables them to fulfil their potential. I am deeply concerned a lack of resources and direction from the Conservative

Government has undermined this principle, entrenching inequalities and holding young people and our country back. I will continue to hold the Government accountable for this and call for more investment in Stockport’s education services. We need a general election now - so that the people of Stockport can elect a Labour government with a long-term plan to get our education system back on track.

If you live or work in Stockport constituency, please contact me at navendu.mishra.mp@ parliament.uk.