Local Liberal Democrats have demanded Haringey Council takes action to get a better deal for Haringey’s children.

Last year, it was revealed that Haringey Council received on average £1,183 less funding per child, per year than neighbouring boroughs. Councillors at Monday’s (5th Jan 2009) Overview and Scrutiny Meeting threw down the gauntlet to the new Director and Labour member in charge of Children’s Services to place on record their commitment to pursue fair funding for Haringey’s children. Both Cllr Reith and Peter Lewis agreed that further efforts were needed.

However, Labour councillors agreed to pursue the issue with government ministers in 2007 when the issue was raised by Liberal Democrats but admitted that their efforts were “not successful”.

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone launched the fair funding campaign and raised the issue with the Prime Minister in October 2007 and with Schools Minister Jim Knight in February last year.

Cllr David Winskill, Liberal Democrat member on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, comments:

“It is a continuing disgrace that a borough such as Haringey, which has areas with some of the worst poverty and deprivation in the country, has for so long received significantly less resources for the future of our children. It is unfair and illogical that children down the road in Hackney receive more money for their education than children in Tottenham.

“At a time when Haringey Council is setting its budget for the coming year it is appropriate for the new team in charge of Children’s Services to commit to do all in its power to rectify this situation.”

Cllr Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat Children, Schools and Families Spokesperson, adds:

“This is another classic say everything, do nothing issue for Labour. They have publicly said that they would do all they could to get the Labour government to change this unfair funding system but they can’t even get their own party to listen to them.”

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“At this rate the funding gap will become a funding abyss and Haringey pupils are suffering as a result.Anyone with a serious interest in education in Haringey should be back this campaign.”