We put candidates for South Swindon on the spot: EDUCATION

Our questions on EDUCATION are:

Headteachers have written to us to warn of rising staff costs, including pensions, but no increase in government funding. They are worried about the cuts they will have to make to cover this. How will you help them?

With demand for places set to increase with more housebuilding, how will you ensure there are adequate places at primary and secondary level?

Will you push for the free hot meals for school children to be extended to more age categories?

ROBERT BUCKLAND

1. We have increased Swindon school funding by £150 per child this year and will improve Swindon’s funding formula.

We will maintain the poorer pupil premium. We will not raise national insurance. As Swindon’s school population is increasing, then more money will be allocated to each of our schools.

2. We have doubled spending on new school places, and will increase it by at least £7bn over the next Parliament.

In Swindon, 93% of children starting school this year will be in a school of their first preference. We will build two new secondary schools in Swindon by 2020. Two new sixth forms and a University Technical College have opened in Swindon already.

3. I strongly support the provision of free school meals for infants, and would like to see an extension to the scheme to cover years 3-6.

I appreciate, however, that there are financial constraints so any change would have to be subject to available budgets.

ANNE SNELGROVE

1. Labour is the only party guaranteeing to protect the entire education budget from early years to 19, ensuring that it rises in line with inflation every year; other parties’ spending plans will cut school budgets in real terms.

We will end Free Schools which take funding from other schools.

2. Nearly half of Swindon’s schools are full, but there are massive delays building new schools because decisions are made in London.

Labour will return powers to open new schools to Swindon and we’ll improve standards in teaching and learning here so that we can open new community schools again.

3. Labour welcomed the last Government’s change of heart to provide universal free school meals for all five, six and seven year olds and we’ll continue the initiative.

However, in tough financial times it wouldn’t be my priority to extend it when Swindon schools’ teaching and learning budgets are so stretched.

JOHN SHORT

1. Local schools and education departments should not have to pay for pensions; this should be funded by central government through schemes such as the Wiltshire Pension Fund. Finally, the pension system should be paid for by a central budget.

2. The local education system needs to be reviewed and where necessary new schools built and existing schools extended. A levy on new housing schemes such as 106 agreements needs to be agreed to help the construction budgets.

3. UKIP would push for free school meals for all that needs this service despite the age and school location.

TALIS KIMBERLEY-FAIRBOURN

1. We’ll invest properly in our youngsters’ education, restoring current and capital funding to 2010 levels – the austerity regime that demands continual cuts to our public services is a failed ideology and false economy.

The Green Party will scrap tuition fees, restore EMA, work towards smaller classes, and stop over-testing.

2. We’ll address the skewed planning system that puts houses where there are inadequate community resources, and which prevents local authorities from demanding better contributions from the house builders, who profit handsomely.

We’ll return ‘free’ schools to local authority control and restore local authorities’ right to plan and build new primary schools.

3. Yes. Green Party policy is also that school meals should be nutritious and include local and organic ingredients.

Vending machines should offer healthier snacks than crisps and fizzy drinks, and children should learn about growing, preparing and cooking food as well.

DAMON HOOTON

No response was received by the Adver from Damon Hooton