Stephen Twigg MP

I have secured a promise from Education Secretary Michael Gove that he (or one of his ministers) will visit Liverpool in the near future to discuss last week’s BSF announcement and its devastating impact on schools in West Derby and City wide. You can read the full exchange from the Commons today here;

 Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): On Friday, I visited Holly Lodge school—one of six in my constituency affected by last week’s announcement. For Liverpool, investment in our schools is crucial to our economic future. Will the Secretary of State undertake to visit Liverpool between now and the end of September to meet schools, the business community, my colleagues and the local council to discuss this crucial issue for the future of our city?

Michael Gove: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman, who was a distinguished schools Minister, for that question. I know how hard he works for his constituents and, indeed, for every parent, child and teacher in Liverpool. I am aware that the consequences of the regrettable decision we had to take last week will be felt particularly hard in Liverpool, so either I or a member of my ministerial team will commit to come to Liverpool to talk to him and those affected—by the end of the year, I hope, but certainly as soon as possible