Our nation’s future rests on nurturing future generations so they develop the skills needed to keep Britain top of the global tree.
That means great schools and fantastic teachers. But this Government neglects both.
Parents now have to dip into their pockets to provide essentials such as textbooks. And teachers are leaving at a record rate with nearly a third quitting within five years of qualifying.
If the Tories value children then they must also value those who teach them.
Yet teachers struggle with high workloads, poor conditions, bad pay and unruly pupils. It is understandable that so many just give up.
Much of this can be blamed on Michael Gove’s education reforms, which add to teacher stress. Class sizes have been creeping up and need to be reduced.
Pay and conditions were improved under Labour but Tory austerity has put both back where they started.
Boris Johnson seems to be able to find plenty of money for the police, hospitals and preparing for a No Deal Brexit.
He must now find the cash to give teachers the pay rise they deserve, too.
Schools are facing the worst staffing crisis in decades. That must not be allowed to continue or our children – and our nation’s future – will suffer.
It’s hard lines
We know the Tories don’t keep their promises. We also know they will squeeze money out of those who can least afford it, every chance they get.
When it comes to Government phone lines they are doing both.
In 2013 the Cabinet Office decreed that helplines used by low income groups should be free or charged at only local landline rates.
That way people already facing debts would not add to them with a monstrous phone bill.
Yet six years on, the poor and vulnerable are still paying up to 70p a minute to ask for help.
That is unacceptable. If the DWP can provide a free service then so can everyone else.
Helplines which make callers pay through the nose are no help at all.
Heart of gold
As transplant toddler Esme Hughes lay in hospital waiting for a heart she planned all she would do when she was fit and well.
The five-year-old has now ticked them off at the amazing rate of one a month.
She has been to Disneyland Paris, seen the seaside for the first time, held a safari park snake and learned to ride both a bike and a horse.
She has also found time to raise funds for GOSH, the hospital which saved her. So not just a new heart, eh, Esme. But a big heart.
