News story

17th August 2004

Steve Webb Launches the "Great Education Debate"

Northavon MP Steve Webb has this week launched a new campaign to find out the views of his 80,000 constituents on the key education issues affecting local people. A survey on education and childcare issues is to be delivered to households across the Northavon constituency seeking views on everything from nursery classes to university tuition fees. A particular focus of the survey is the threat to village schools under plans by South Gloucestershire to remove "surplus" school places. Other topics covered include the funding of education in South Gloucestershire, provision for children with special educational needs and the availability of adult education and training courses.

Commenting on the survey, Steve Webb said:

"There are some big issues currently being debated on which the views of local people must be heard. On a local level I am particularly concerned about the threat to small village schools and am committed to fighting to protect them. I am also strongly opposed to the Government's plans for students to graduate with massive debts. Now I want to hear what local people have to say about these and other key issues in education. This survey is for everyone, whether they have children or grandchildren at school, if they are studying themselves, if they work in education or simply care about the future of our society. I look forward to hearing what people have to say".

The survey will be hand-delivered by over 500 volunteers over the coming weeks, and anyone able to help with the distribution of the survey is invited to contact Steve Webb MP at his constituency office on 01454 322100. A full report of the results of the survey will be sent to local education chiefs and also to Government education ministers.