Commenting on the Government’s pre-Budget commitments on education and early years investment, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:

“The decision to commit additional investment to rebuild and restore the infrastructure in our schools and early years is further indication of the Government’s commitment to education and to improving opportunities for all children.

“Every parent wants the best for their children so it is right that the Government is choosing to invest in in our schools and early years at a time when there is immense pressure on the public finances after the years of economic mismanagement by the previous Government.

“The Chancellor is choosing wisely to use the Budget to begin to tackle the crisis of crumbling school buildings following her decision to invest in teachers’ pay in order to begin the process of ending the recruitment and retention crisis left by the previous Government.

“There is of course more to do, not least to ensure that all children and young people, whether in early years, schools or colleges have access to the high quality learning conditions they deserve. But these are important and welcome first steps from a Government that is choosing to put children and their teachers first.”