Vann slams Labour under investment in Education in Bedfordshire

7.52.00pm GMT Mon 1st Feb 2010

Nick Clegg has set out the Lib Dems priorities for education

Government education funding second worst in region last year.

Bedfordshire received less money per pupil from central government than any other authority in the region except Cambridgeshire last year according to figures highlighted by Henry Vann who is standing as the next MP for Bedford and Kempston.

By 2008-09 the government gave Bedfordshire as a whole just £4,320 per pupil compared to £4,960 per pupil in Luton.

Henry Vann, Bedford and Kempston parliamentary campaigner for the Liberal Democrats, said:

"Once again we have a Labour Government sidelining Bedford and putting extra money elsewhere. Our education services need investment now, and this difference in funding levels is symptomatic of Labour's double standards."

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cut class sizes, provide more out of school activities and put more funding into a pupil premium, helping the most disadvantaged pupils with targeted resources.

Henry said: "We are the only party offering the radical reforms needed to improve our education system with a pupil premium to invest in education when children need the most support.

"This is one of four central pledges made to improve education for the youngest children at which stage many challenges begin if proper support is not given."