Our schools can be world class but under-investment and cuts have left too many schools crumbling
BRIGHTER FUTURE CAMPAIGN - 15 DAYS TO POLLING DAY
Liberal Democrats will invest £7 billion to save our schools
We will invest £7 billion from our infrastructure budget for new school buildings and repairs to keep up with rising pupil numbers.
Our schools should be world class, but years of under-investment and funding cuts have left many schools crumbling with repairs being unaffordable. It is completely unacceptable that in the 21st century, too many of our children are being taught in Victorian conditions.
Enough is enough. The Liberal Democrats will prioritise making our schools fit for purpose by investing an extra £7 billion over five years from our infrastructure budget for new school buildings and repairs to keep up with rising pupil numbers.
The funding will be distributed to local authorities and ring-fenced specifically to be spent on school improvements.
This school improvement programme is in addition to the £10 billion for schools we have promised, as well as hiring 20,000 more teachers.
As we previously announced, a Liberal Democrat government will attract and retain teachers by increasing their starting salaries to £30,000 and guaranteeing all teachers a pay rise of at least 3% a year over the next Parliament.
The funding also includes an increase in support for children with special educational needs or disabilities, and money to provide high-quality professional development for teachers.