MP RECEIVES GOVERNMENT ASSURANCE THAT FUNDING FOR SHENE ACADEMY IS SECURE

11.43.27am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Oct 2009

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, used the first day of debates in the autumn session of Parliament to seek assurances on funding for the academy at Shene School.

The MP asked Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Children, Schools and Families if funding would be secured for academies in process but not yet completed.

Susan Kramer MP commented:

"I am pleased to have received an assurance that the funding for the academy at Shene is secured."

"Now that Academies Enterprise Trust has been approved as co-sponsor with the local council, I want to make sure the whole local community gets the chance to express their views on priorities for the new academy."

The full text of the question and answer asked in the House of Commons by Susan Kramer MP is below:

Susan Kramer (Richmond Park) (LD): Will the Secretary of State please give an assurance that where an academy is in process, but that process has not been completed-I am thinking of Sheen school in my constituency-funding will remain committed to it and will not be removed under any deficit-cutting programme?

Ed Balls: I have made it clear that I am accelerating the academies programme and accelerating secondary school improvement. There is no question of having any cuts in our academies or school improvement funding this year or next. While the consultation is ongoing, there will be no cuts from this party. The question is whether the other parties can make the same commitment, and I am afraid that the answer is no.