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Our schools need more money
An alliance of trade unions and councillors prepares to take on the government and its policies. HENRY FOWLER reports
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ON Tuesday, ahead of the Spending Review, I joined a delegation of councillors in handing a letter to Damian Hinds urging him to provide more money for our schools.
This letter, coordinated by NEU members and councillors Maggie Browning and Jumbo Chan, was signed by 1,115 councillors of all parties and backed by the F40 group of local authorities — a group comprised of the most underfunded local authorities (LAs) in the country.
Since 2010 60p in every £1 of local government spending has been cut and consequently local government funding and the services it provides face financial ruin under this government.
Local government is now saying “enough is enough” — leading to unprecedented unity in order to oppose central government’s cuts to schools. This is a fantastic development and, we hope, will open the door for other campaigns.
Our letter was the latest action the NEU Councillors Network has taken but not by any means the first. Last year the councillors network coordinated a model motion to oppose school cuts, that was passed in well over half of all London councils and many outside the capital.
The network has also hosted briefings of councillors — last July we had over 40 councillors in London attend.
At the NEU, like so many unions, our employer has traditionally been the local authority. This relationship continues to be important despite academisation taking power away from communities and local authorites.
A strong fight back against austerity from all councils could reconnect communities to councillors
Building a partnership with local government and working together in campaigns is a way of rejuvenating our councils, giving them the confidence to challenge all cuts from Westminster.
The development of strong political campaigns allows our union to open up space for industrial organising and for opposing the last 40 years of neoliberalism in education. A strong fight back against austerity from all councils could reconnect communities to councillors, creating the possibility for a new era of strong local government.
Our school cuts campaign continues and as a union we will look to the spending review to deliver the much-needed funds for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), schools and colleges, and to reverse the 8 per cent per pupil cuts we have seen since 2010.
With trade union partners, parent campaigners and politicians, we are organising the Together for Education rally on June 22, at Central Hall, Westminster. This event is backed by a whole host of organisations, notably the National Governance Association and F40 group, which will show the strength and breadth of support for our campaign against cuts.
Together for Education will combine a review of the School Cuts campaign to date and the future ahead. I would encourage all trade unionists and campaigners to join us for this very important day, tickets are limited and available at https://togetherforeducation.eventbrite.com.
The NEU Councillors Network is free and is open to councillors of all parties. Please encourage councillors you know and direct them to www.neu.org.uk/cllrs for more information, including joining the network.
Local government is vital in the fight back against austerity and cuts. We want to continue to support councillors and local government to shape the future of education. I hope you can join us.
Henry Fowler is National Campaign Manager for National Education Union and NEU Councillors Network
If you would like your campaign to be featured as Campaign of the Week, visit morningstaronline.co.uk/page/campaign-week and fill in the online form.
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