I’m chair of governors of a local school, so I’ve seen first hand it takes to improve outcomes for young people. The work students put in is colossal. The effort teachers and staff put in is almost inhuman. But as a result we have no more secondary schools in special measures. Education in our city is improving, opportunities for young people are growing. Our school community is doing every single thing that is asked of it, and the response of government is to slash the very funding that pays for books, specialist support and teaching, getting the best teachers into schools that need them the most, and making sure our buildings are kept up to scratch.

This is an insult, it is sure to undermine the moral of students and teachers, and it will pose a desperately difficult barrier to delivering the world class education our young people deserve.

We have an incredible local campaign called Save Our Schools and I proudly support it. They held an amazing event last week and it was a privilege to be there, speak to parents, grandparents, teachers, staff and students, and also to participate in the sessions that followed.

Today I’ve also written to the principal of every school in Hove and Portslade pledging my support to them, their individual school, and our collective school community here. I will do my very best to give their campaign the voice they need and deserve in parliament and I will take their lead and listen them throughout.

Please let me know how this will affect you and your family, and if you’re a teacher or school leader please tell me about your experiences as it will help me be the advocate you deserve. Your angry and determined MP, Peter!