Author Archives: GovWorldMag

15 May 2017

The Greens have responded to the Conservative Party’s announcements on workers’ rights today [1].

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“The Conservative credibility gap on workers’ rights couldn’t be wider. It is almost laughable that the Tories are trying to pitch themselves as a party that stands up for workers’ rights. The Conservative Government tried to bring in anti-strike laws [2], oversaw a huge increase in zero hours contracts [3] and attempted to shut down trade unions [4].

“Leaving workers in a precarious position, unsure if they’re going to have enough money to pay their rent or food bills, and trying to silence their collective voice is no way to create a happy, healthy workforce. Today’s empty promises will not make us forget how the Tories have treated workers with total disdain during their time in Government.

“Theresa May repeatedly says one thing and does another. But the Green Party will always stick up for workers’ rights, not just during an election campaign. We’re the only party with a positive vision for the future world of work, exploring bold ideas like a shorter working week and universal basic income.”

Notes:

1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39917472
2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/24/120-tory-mps-back-calls-tougher-anti-strike-laws-end-rail-misery/
3. Statistics published in March revealed 905,000 people were employed on zero hours contracts, an increase of about 101,000 in a year:  https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/people-in-employment-on-a-zero-hours-contract-mar-2017
4. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/15/trade-unions-conservative-offensive-decades-strikes-labour

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15 May 2017

*Green Party promises to plug £7billion funding gap facing education

*Vix Lowthion: “We need to put the enjoyment, creativity, and inspiration back into school”

The Green Party has promised to abolish SATs tests and end the academies programme as it announced its plans for an inspiring education system [1].

Vix Lowthion, Green Party education spokesperson and secondary school teacher, has pledged to end the practice of testing children from the age of seven through SATs, freeing teacher and pupils from “pointless, pressured testing”.

The Green Party believes parents and teachers should control children’s education – not businesses – and Ms Lowthion has put forward plans to end the academies programme and bring existing academies back under local authority control.

Ms Lowthion also promised to invest £7billion in the education system to fill the funding gap created by years of underinvestment and cuts. Figures show that by 2020, 99% of schools will have been hit by a funding cut – the average primary school will have lost £103,000, and the average secondary school will have lost £470,000 [2].

Vix Lowthion, Green Party education spokesperson and secondary school teacher, said:

“We want to create an inspiring education system that transforms lives and transforms Britain – but that can’t happen without the very basic foundations being in place and this Government has been removing them brick by brick. How are schools meant to prepare children for life when 99% will suffer from funding cuts and children and teachers are subjected to pointless, pressurised testing?

“We need to make up for the enormous shortfall, the massive neglect, in our education system by plugging the £7billion spending deficit. At the same time as schools are getting less resources, more is being asked of teachers and pupils. Getting rid of SATs tests would be one big step towards putting the enjoyment, creativity, and inspiration back into school and ensure teachers are free to teach.”

The launch of the Green Party’s education policy was held at Sandown Bay Academy in the Isle of Wight, which is facing closure after claims the school is not bringing in enough money [3].

Lowthion added:

“The academies programme has taken schools out of the hands of local authorities and parents and given them over to private businesses. That means that if a school isn’t performing a commercial interest, it can be shut down at will by the owners, leaving pupils without a school to go to. We would bring existing academies back under local authority control so that our children’s education is in the hands of teachers and parents, not businesses.”

Notes:

1.       Details of launch: 10am, Monday 15 May 2017, Sandown Bay Academy, The Fairway, Sandown, PO39 9JH.

2.       http://schoolcuts.org.uk/#!/

3.       http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-3987584

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