Schools minister Nick Gibb has responded to claims that the new coalition government will cut funding for programmes such as that which provides extra support through one-to-one tuition for those struggling with the three Rs.
Polly Toynbee wrote in a Comment is Free piece for the Guardian that the teaching schemes that offer the most help to children are being axed, but schools minister Nick Gibb argues that she is wrong to claim support for those who fall behind is being axed.
"We are spending £256 million in 2010-11 for seven to 16-year-olds who need catch-up support in English or maths this year so no child due to receive help will miss out," he said.
He added that £89 million will be spent this year on the Every Child schemes designed to help five to eight-year-olds make improvements in the key areas of English and maths.
There will be difficult decisions ahead, he said, but argued that the government will strike a balance between urgent action to manage public finances and steps to protect frontline education services.
Posted by Alan Douglas
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