Impact of the Schools Bill

Emma Best AM moved and Neil Garratt AM seconded the following motion: 

“This Assembly wishes to express its concern at the Government’s decision to scale back the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme and remove the provision of funding for Latin in the curriculum, reducing opportunities for London students to excel.

Additionally, this Assembly regrets to learn that the Government intends to make cuts to adult education budgets for the next academic year, as reported by FE Week. These reductions undermine vital opportunities for lifelong learning and personal development, disproportionately impacting working-class Londoners as well as hindering wider economic growth.

This Assembly believes that these policies will damage the quality of education in London, limit opportunities for students and threaten the progress made in raising school standards under the previous government. 

This Assembly calls on the Mayor to:

• Oppose the cancellation of the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme and lobby the Government to reinstate funding to ensure London students have the best possible access to educational opportunities.
• Lobby the Government to reconsider its decision to make cuts to the Adult Skills Fund for the next academic year.
• Consider how the Adult Skills Fund could be used to further the development of maths skills across London.”

Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion was agreed with 11 votes in favour and 7 against.