Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham has welcomed a humiliating U-Turn from Tory Education Secretary Michael Gove on the issue of School Sports funding.
The Government had planned to scrap the School Sports Partnership but today announced £47 million worth of funding will be maintained and the programme will remain in place until at least the Olympics in 2012. Reacting to the news, Alex said:
“I have been contacted by many teachers who work in my constituency about the Government’s outrageous plans to scrap the School Sports Partnership. I conveyed their anger about the Government’s decision to scrap this programme to the House of Commons on more than one occasion.
It seems that the message has got through – although I am disappointed that the programme is not being completely saved.
The Coalition made a big mistake on this issue. Persistence and hard work from teachers, parents and pupils who recognize the value of the School Sports Partnership has forced the Education Secretary into a compromise. It’s just a shame he didn’t listen to them before he made his initial decision to scrap this excellent programme.”