Thousands of school children in England have had their education disrupted because of unsafe buildings.
Others are being taught in temporary classrooms, or in structures plagued by damp, rainwater or shoddy ventilation. This is the condition of the school estate under the Tories. The overall backlog for repairs is more than £11billion.
A Conservative Party which genuinely cared about education would be investing money in new buildings and renovations. But the small print of this week’s Autumn Statement reveals that Jeremy Hunt is cutting the budget for repairs and improvements by £1.5bn.
Rishi Sunak claimed earlier this year that improving education was the main reason he went into politics. If the Prime Minister really meant this, he would not have refused to fund in full the money required to help pupils catch up on the learning lost during Covid.
Nor would he be slashing the cash that would improve their failing facilities. By condemning children to be taught in crumbling, second-rate buildings, the PM is denying them the chance to learn and flourish.
Plea for peace
The release of Israeli hostages and the delivery of aid to Gaza is a brief moment of humanity in a pitiless conflict.
It can only be hoped more hostages are freed and more Palestinians receive the supplies they desperately need over the next few days. While this brief cessation in the violence is welcome, it is far from the permanent peace that is required. It is dispiriting to know that the slaughter will soon resume.
This conflict will never be resolved through violence. After this temporary lull, a greater effort is required to bring a lasting settlement.
Tammy’s win
Number four knocked on the door when Tammy Hall went into labour at the bingo.
Tiny Teddie was delivered safely. With three siblings, the family certainly has a full house.