Local MP promises to make school improvements number one priority

Dudley North MP Ian Austin heaped pressure on Education Secretary Michael Gove yesterday to clarify the Governments plans for education in Dudley.

Austin asked the Secretary of State many questions on the future of education in Dudley including what plans he has for schools in Dudley to be included in the Building Schools for the Future Programme, how many schools in Dudley have applied for academy status and what the Government ' s plans are to increase the number of 16 and 17 year olds starting and completing apprenticeships in Dudley.

Austin also asked Gove how he plans to deal with local authorities like Dudley who have consistently refused to take part in the Government’s academy programme.

Ian Austin MP said:

“I have a big plan to improve things in Dudley and boost our local economy through better education and training.  Since becoming an MP my top priority has been to increase the amount and quality of training and educational services in Dudley.”

“The only way we will attract the high tech jobs of the future to Dudley is by showing employers we have the skills and the workforce they need.  That is why I have lead the campaign to get Dudley a University campus, called repeatedly for the Council to join the academies scheme and take Building Schools for the Future seriously.”

“Dudley left itself out of educational improvements when the previous Government was investing record amounts and didn’t support the local schools that wanted to become academies.  I can only imagine what will happen if they are left to their own devises again, especially with the depth of cuts that the Chancellor wants to make.”

“That is why I called on the Secretary of State for Education to make clear what he intends to do about problem councils like ours, who did not rebuild schools and revolutionise education when they had the chance.”

“The future of local children and our town is on the line, Dudley needs to do more.  I will make it my number one priority to make sure that the council cannot continue to neglect educational improvement in our town.”