London schools should be political propaganda-free zones
London schools must remain free of political propaganda, Londonwide Assembly Member, Tom Copley AM, has said. This comes after Walthamstow MP, Stella Creasy, raised concerns with the Prime Minister that over 3,000 digital billboards in schools around the country had been used to display so-called ‘Brexit propaganda’. Mr Copley has written to the Department for Education (DfE) to find out how many London schools were affected after the Prime Minister was unable to provide further detail on how widespread the billboards are. Citing concerns about the impact of political upheaval on children’s mental health, Mr Copley urged the Secretary of State to ensure schools remain spaces for learning, free of political propaganda.
Following the recall of Parliament last month, Stella Creasy MP raised concerns that Anomaly Group digital advertising billboards in schools were displaying ‘Brexit propaganda’. According to Ms Creasy, the content - which is reported to have included supportive messaging of Boris Johnson’s handling of Brexit and claims that Parliament is seeking to stop it happening - had been broadcast on 3,000 digital noticeboards at primary schools across the country, allegedly without the consent of schools.
With the Prime Minister unable to provide further information on where the messaging came from, Tom Copley AM is seeking answers from the DfE to find out how many London schools are known to have had the ‘propaganda’ displayed. Mr Copley has also sought assurances from the Secretary of State, Gavin Williamson CBE MP, that the billboards will only be used for educational purposes and will not again be permitted to display political messaging.
Last month (October), the Government’s State of the Nation report on mental health found declining levels of mental wellbeing among children, which follows a report from the NSPCC, published last December, which showed significant increases in anxiety. Moreover, in 2017, both the Prince’s Trust and the Young Women’s Trust warned of the negative impact political upheaval is having on young people’s mental health.
Londonwide Assembly Member, Tom Copley AM, said:
“Schools are for learning, they must remain a safe space focused on children’s development.
“The Secretary of State needs to provide some answers about how these adverts ever made their way into schools and some assurances that this won’t ever happen again.
“Children are of course far more open to influence, and this should not be abused, especially considering their mental wellbeing is at stake.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- A copy of Tom Copley’s letter to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson CBE MP, can be found attached;
- On 25th September, Stella Creasy MP raised concerns in the House of Commons about the use of over 3,000 digital billboards in schools across the country to display so-called ‘Brexit propaganda’. Addressing the Prime Minister, Ms Creasy said, “Given the amount of money this government is spending on Brexit adverts, can he at least reassure Walthamstow residents that in this instance it wasn’t his doing and give his personal pledge that our primary schools will remain Brexit propaganda-free zones?”. In his response, the Prime Minister was unable to provide further information but said, “Obviously the honourable lady is bringing me news about the schools in her constituency. What I can tell her is that we’re investing more in every primary school in this country.” More information can be found here;
- In October 2019, the Government’s State of the Nation report on mental health found declining levels of mental wellbeing among children. Found here;
- A December 2018 report from the NSPCC, found dramatic increases in anxiety amongst young people. Found here;
- In 2017, both the Prince’s Trust and the Young Women’s Trust warned of the negative impact political upheaval was having on young people’s mental health. Found here and here respectively;
- Tom Copley AM is a Londonwide Assembly Member.