A Conservative MP has welcomed the news that a flagship policy of the Liberal Democrats will be benefiting pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in South West Bedfordshire.
MP, Andrew Selous has pointed out that funds amounting to £3,495,000 have been allocated for 2014/15 in his constituency to help them achieve their full potential. This is good news for pupils and good news for their families.
The Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools so that they can support their disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers. The Government has increased Pupil Premium funding to £1.875 billion in 2013-14, with schools attracting £900 per disadvantaged child, with an additional payment of £53 for primary-aged pupils. In 2014-15, the funding will rise to £2.5 billion, with £1,300 for primary-aged pupils, £935 for secondary-aged pupils and £1,900 for all looked-after children, adopted children and children with guardians. In total, pupils in South West Bedfordshire will have received £8,688,000 between 2011 and 2015.
Andrew Selous MP commented:
‘This is excellent news for disadvantaged pupils and their families in South West Bedfordshire and will give local schools the support they need to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, can fulfil their potential.
This is further confirmation that, despite the economic mess that we inherited this Government has found the funds to give support to those who need it most to help them get on in life.’
The pupil premium is one of the Liberal Democrats' signature policies which featured prominently in its 2010 general election manifesto. On the first page, the party said it would invest £2.5bn "in schools targeted to help struggling pupils".
Selous News
Tuesday 17 December 2013
Monday 2 December 2013
Nick Clegg’s Letter from the Leader: Good news for Mums and Dads
A short one this week: just to say a huge well done to all Liberal Democrats. We’ve finally landed our flagship policy on shared parental leave.
After a lot of work – not least from Jo Swinson – we’ve secured a package that will transform the opportunities open to parents when their children are born. Instead of two measly weeks for fathers and an assumption that mothers should automatically take the rest, parents will be able to divvy up the first year however suits them best. If they choose to, women will be able to return to work earlier or for specific projects, with men staying at home. Couples will even be able to take off chunks of time together.
It hasn’t been easy. Some people took a lot of convincing. But we’ve done it and I’m delighted at how many businesses have come out in favour over the last few days.
We believe you shouldn’t have to choose between a stronger economy or a fairer society – Britain needs both. With the Liberal Democrats in government, that’s what you’ll get.
Nick
P.S Anyone looking for more details of how the new system will work can find them here.
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