Alan Bullion welcomes Lib Dem plans to triple vital Sevenoaks pupil premium funding, but slams Tory slashing of free school meals

Sevenoaks and Swanley Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Alan Bullion welcomes plans to triple funding for the early years pupil premium, with gives extra cash to nurseries, preschools and school receptions when they take on children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This cash would triple the funding to £1,000 per pupil per year - up from £302 in 2015-16. The Lib Dems originally introduced the Pupil Premium package under the Coalition government.

This forms part of a series of policies the Liberal Democrats are announcing in our general election manifesto, with a focus on giving children and young people a brighter future.

These include:

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• Helping people buy their first home for the same cost as renting, with a new model of 'Rent to Own' homes
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• Restoring housing benefit for young people
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• Creating a discounted bus pass for 16-21 year olds, giving a 66% discount
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• Introducing votes at 16 for elections and referendums across the UK
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As well as:

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• Investing almost £7 billion in our schools and colleges
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• Doubling the number of businesses that take apprenticeships
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• Tripling the early years pupil premium
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• Extending free school meals to all primary school students, as introduced by Nick Clegg. in marked contrast to Tory policy to end these.
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• Tories would penalise up to 1 million poorer families, which Jamie Oliver has rightly described as "a disgrace". Leon co-founder John Vincent said : "50℅ of the costs of providing school meals are fixed, like employing a cook and a server, so the more children who buy them, the less you have to charge and the better the quality too."
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Alan Bullion commented: "We will give children in the Sevenoaks and Swanley constituency a brighter future, by investing in those from more deprived backgrounds to give them the best possible chance in life.

"This forms part of a package to build a fairer Britain and ensure no child or young person is left behind.

"The Liberal Democrats will provide a strong opposition to this Conservative government and stand up against cuts to local schools, hospitals and regional funding.

"A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a brighter future for people across Sevenoaks and Swanley".

action@sevenoakslibdems.org.uk



Published and Promoted by Alastair MacPherson, on behalf of Alan Bullion and Sevenoaks Lib Dems, 44 Well Road, Otford, Sevenoaks, Kent.