News from Southampton Labour

Cameron promised Southampton’s schools would be safe

Labour MP John Denham has reacted angrily to reports that the Tory-Lib Dem right wing coalition will freeze or cancel the Building Schools for the Future programme today.

Mr Denham said: “This would betray our child and break Mr Cameron’s promise to Southampton.

“The whole reorganisation of secondary schools in eastern Southampton depends on this in investment in Chamberlayne Park, Sholing, St George’s and Bitterne Park. If it is cut now it means that thousands of children will be denied the modern schools they were promised, and our teacher denied the best teaching facilities. It would be an unbearable act of betrayal.

“During the election Mr Cameron was reported by the Daily Echo as promising that the Building Schools for the Future programme in Southampton would be safe. If the school projects are stopped, or frozen, everyone will know it was an empty and cynical attempt to get votes.

“Local Tories said I was scaremongering to raise this threat. There clearly is a threat and if the schools are stopped or frozen I hope they will now apologise.”

UPDATE:
The following Southampton schools have indeed been hit:
Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill Academy
Oasis Academy Mayfield Academy
Bitterne Park School
Cantell Maths & Computing College
Chamberlayne College for the Arts
Redbridge Community School
St George RC Boys School
The Sholing Technology College
Upper Shirley High
Woodlands Community College

Other news from Southampton Labour

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• Southampton Labour MPs urge constituents to claim free heating and insulation help - 1 February 2012
• Welfare changes hit poorest areas in Southampton hardest - 1 February 2012