Tower Hamlets school funding row as borough misses out on government cash
The row over school place shortages has intensified after Labour blamed Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman for failing to secure government funding for renovations and expansions.
Government cash was dished out to 270 schools across the country – but those in Tower Hamlets missed out on funding.
Opposition Labour councillors said the news would leave residents feeling “let down” by Independent Mayor Rahman.
Labour’s spokesperson for education, Cllr Amy Whitelock, said: “We face a growing shortage of school places in the borough so the Mayor should have been fighting for a share of this funding to help alleviate the situation.”
But a council spokesperson explained that fuding was targeted at schools in the worst condition.
School improvements have been ongoing in Tower Hamlets under the Building Schools for the Future programme, despite education secretary Michael Goven axing the funding in 2010.
Cabinet member for schools Cllr Oliur Rahman added: “This Mayor and his administration have made education one of their top priorities.
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“Our young people are achieving some of the best results in the country with some fantastic educational facilities.”