Joyce welcomes Pembrokeshire school improvements and slams Tories for 'talking schools down'

Welcoming the Assembly budget, Pembrokeshire-based Labour Assembly Member JOYCE WATSON AM attacked local Tories for 'talking schools down' and ignoring Labour's £60 million investment in the County's schools since 1997.

JOYCE WATSON AM said:

"I welcome this Assembly budget, especially the extra £32m - on top of the £45m extra announced in November - to deliver on our commitment to cut class sizes for three to seven year olds, where the long-term benefits are greatest.

"Yet local Tories insist on talking our local schools down. The local AM talks about crumbling school buildings yet this budget demonstrates our on-going commitment to reversing the damage that his party's policies inflicted on our schools.

"Since 1997 more than £60 million has been allocated to improve the educational environment for young people in Pembrokeshire.

"Over that time the scope of these projects has included tackling a backlog of repairs, building enhancements, new and innovative energy saving schemes and new schools.

"Since 2002, more than 30 such projects have been completed in Pembrokeshire, ranging from new schools including Mary Immaculate, Spittal, St Dogmaels, Pembroke Dock Community School and Ysgol Bro Dewi, to many enhancement projects. There are two more new buildings underway and another new school project has been approved.

"Without the vision of successive Labour-led Assembly governments our schools would not have received the investment they have had. It has made it possible to cut school class sizes, modernize and build schools for the 21st century.

"School buildings have a crucial part to play in helping to raise educational standards. High quality, modern school buildings with the latest, integrated ICT systems are vital to raise pupil attainment and broadening community access to schools.

"I am proud that Labour has delivered so much to secure the future of so many in Pembrokeshire."

22nd January 2008