Damien Moore MP says cuts to School funding:- "indefensible" and "morally wrong."

SOUTHPORT MP Damien Moore is 1 of 28 Conservative MPs who have written to the Chancellor to make clear that:- "it would be indefensible to cut education funding" in his upcoming budget. On Thursday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt MP will announce his plans to get the country's finances back on track, following the aftershocks of the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Government have made clear that tough decision will need to be made. The group of 28 Conservative MPs wrote to the Chancellor to outline their resolute opposition to any plans which would see the books balanced on the backs of young people in towns like Southport. They say that:- "it would not be morally right to cut education at a time when so many children, teachers and staff are still working so hard to rectify the damage caused by Covid 19." The letter also reiterates the importance of sticking with explicit commitments made by the Government to increase teachers' starting salaries to £30,000.

Mr Moore has also written to the Headteachers of Schools across Southport to assure them of his unwavering support for investing in our children's futures. He has visited a number of Schools over recent weeks to learn of the post Pandemic work they have been doing, and to discuss the pressures they are facing.

Mr Moore has confirmed his view that not only should School funding be protected, but in many areas it should be increased to compensate for increased energy, materials, and staffing costs. Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:- "Giving a child the right early years, primary, and secondary education is key to their eventual success in life. Children only get one start in life, and it is imperative that we do all we can to ensure that it is a good 1. For this reason, I have joined with Conservative colleagues in writing publicly to the Chancellor to set out how crucial protecting education funding is; indeed, I would like to see education budgets actually increased to reflect growing pressures. People understand that following the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine costs are rising and difficult decisions must be made on our public finances, but I've been very clear with the Chancellor that our public finances cannot be balanced on the backs of our youngest generation. I look forward to Thursday's budget, and trust that decisions will be made to put our economy back on track in a fair and compassionate way."

To read the copy of the letter to the Chancellor, which is in the public domain, please click here.

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The state of the Social Care and Support provision in England

CARE England, as a member of the Care Provider Alliance, which brings together the main national associations which represent independent and voluntary adult social care providers in England, has collectively published a report on the current state of social care in England.

Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "We require a 1948 moment for adult social care to establish a long term and sustainable future that will be to the benefit of all citizens and the economy. It is clear that the reforms introduced under the Johnson administration are a starting point, but are by no means going to:- 'fix social care' and the current reform proposals may well be kicked into the long grass again. The sector stands ready and willing to support the delivery of a much needed reform agenda that will deliver a clear funding strategy for social care, whilst also developing a range of careers and opportunities that will provide high-quality care and support local economic development. The health of the UK economy cannot be separated from the health of the social care sector, the two are fundamentally linked."

The Care Provider Alliance (CPA) briefing, The State of the Social Care and Support Provision in England, highlights the key issues currently afflicting the social care sector. These issues include, but are not limited to:-

►  Rising cost of living.

►  Lack of funding to Local Authorities to adequately raise fee rates for social care.

►  Impact of financial pressures and uncertainty.

►  Unmet need is unacceptably high and rising.

The key message from the report is that immediate Government investment is needed now. Without substantial reform and investment to support that reform, achieving long term sustainability is impossible in the current economic climate. The implication of continued Governmental inaction is continued market instability. Provider failure will impact significantly on both the NHS and Local Authorities who will be unable to commission care and support packages from providers, whilst of course preventing care providers from enabling those who draw on care on support to enjoy their rights to live purposeful lives as active members of families and communities.

Martin Green continues:- "The report is another red flag to the Government that we need help and investment, and we need it now. If the reforms are going to be kicked down the road again, the 2019 Conservative party manifesto is as good as broken. What further evidence does the Department of Health and Social Care require that our sector is fundamental to the fabric of society and needs support? Quality social care cannot be delivered on a shoestring."