Children's plan a wasted opportunity for Heywood and Middleton

1.35.00pm GMT Wed 12th Dec 2007

Commenting on the Government's Children's Plan announced today, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Heywood and Middleton said:

Councillor Wera Hobhouse

Once again the Government has failed to tackle the long term effects of poverty and deprivation; here in our constituency we see on a daily basis the effects under Labour's inaction on these important issues, Children from another generation have been failed by this Government.

Ed Ball's plan doe not even come close to delivering on the challenges we have, his announcement of a further review is a clear indication that Labour does not have the record, credibility or ability to eradicate poverty or raise standards in schools.

"This is a mouse of a plan, for a mountain of a problem.

"There was not a single word about child poverty and targeting educational deprivation, which I know is a big issue in Heywood and Middleton. What is interesting is that Gordon Brown's representative in Heywood and Middleton is very quiet and unwilling to speak up for local residents. When will start to listen and represent the views of the residents and rather not stay quiet once again.

"20,000 free nursery places for 2 year olds sounds good, until you realize there are over 650,000 children of that age.

"In the Balls/Brown world the great screwdriver of central government is to reach down into every aspect of educational policy. When will ministers realise that they need to get the basics right, and give up on micro-management from on high?"