First Minister confirms schools must slash spending

12.00.00am GMT Tue 22nd Nov 2005

Rhodri Morgan today confirmed that he expects Welsh Schools to cut their costs by 1% this year, saying the figure was "achievable"

With the vast majority of school expenditure going on teachers' wages that means a stark choice for heads - fewer books and other learning resources, or axing long-serving teachers in favour of younger staff with less experience.

Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "Rhodri Morgan has let the cat out of the bag. He believes that 1% savings are 'achievable' in our schools. In practice, as teachers wages are settled nationally, this will force our schools to face impossible choices.

"Either they will have less money available to buy essential learning equipment like books, pens and pencils, or they will have to reduce their staffing budget.

"Education is a key priority for Welsh Liberal Democrats. I am shocked that the Minister's admirable quest for greater efficiency is being applied so strictly to schools, which do not have the same flexibility as the quangos and the civil service."

Education spokesperson Peter Black also took the First Minister to task on this issue during question time today. He called on the First Minister to give back the £33m of savings so that local government can re-invest that money in front line services.

During question time today, Mr Morgan said: "The whole of the public sector is expected to make 1% efficiency savings. That applies to the whole of the local government. I make no apology for that. That's set out without exemption for the whole of the public sector."