The Oldham Liberal Democrats and Councillor Howard Sykes (Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition Leader on Oldham Council) have all signed a letter of support to aid vulnerable children and protect local education.
The National Education Union (NEU) Councillors Network wrote the letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson for local councillors to sign up to.
Schools have been underfunded and struggling and the Covid-19 world has increased that mounting pressure. The signed letter has several key demands:
- Assurance that families will be eligible for free school meals (FSM) will be given food vouchers during summer holidays.
- Government to work with local authorities to protect vulnerable children.
- Supporting calls from the teaching profession that schools be reopened when it is safe to do so, for both staff and students.
- Local authorities be given a role in coordinating with schools, trade unions and the DfE on a safe end to school closures.
Councillor Sykes said: “This letter of support has been backed by thousands of councillors from all parties and none. Hopefully it will send a strong message to central government. I am pleased that all Liberal Democrat Councillors on Oldham Council have signed it.”
