LABOUR was warned of a looming schools “catastrophe” yesterday as its manifesto received a mixed reaction from unions.

National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede welcomed the party’s “commitment to education and securing economic growth” but said its proposals contain no indication that education cuts will be reversed.

“The situation in our schools and colleges has now reached tipping point – without serious investment, schools will be closing due to a lack of funds,” he said.

“No incoming government can ignore the problem. Our schools need an ambitious plan that heads off the catastrophe heading their way.”

He added that Labour’s pledge for 6,500 new teachers “does not go far enough” and urged Labour to commit to removing the two-child benefit cap.

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said Labour’s pledge to recruit 6,500 more teachers “must go hand in hand with tackling the causes of the teacher retention crisis and ensuring that teachers are not leaving the profession as a result of excessive workload demands, declining real-terms pay and damaging inspection and accountability pressures.”

University and College Union general secretary Jo Grady added “radical” solutions were needed to the crises in higher education and warned by dropping its pledge to scrap university tuition fees, Labour was continuing “sticking plaster politics.”  

“The higher education funding model is broken beyond repair,” she added.

“This is not a crisis that can be dealt with on the cheap.
 
“The crises in education, health and welfare can all be solved by taxing wealth and big business.

“That’s how Britain’s public infrastructure can be repaired: failing to do so would be a political choice, and a historic mistake.” 

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis meanwhile fully endorsed the manifesto as he warned of “huge” challenges facing the retail industry.

“Only Labour is committed to deliver the better jobs retail workers need and deserve, while securing the future viability of the industry for the benefit of customers, workers, communities and our economy,” he said.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Reversing recent draconian anti-trade union laws will be a vital first step in undoing the damage of the last decade.

“It will be our duty to ensure that a new Labour government makes good on these promises within the first 100 days of taking power.

“We will hold Labour’s feet to the fire.”

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) welcomed the manifesto’s “strong commitments” to repeal anti-trade union legislation and improve workers' rights.

But it added: “When it comes to investment in our services and profession, it doesn’t go nearly far enough.”