Government failing on ‘tutoring revolution’ promise

Labour has accused the government of already failing to live-up to their promise of a ‘tutoring revolution’ as new figures reveal their tutoring programme will reach less than half of pupils on free school meals next year.

The Conservatives’ flagship National Tutoring Programme is projected to reach just 43 per cent of pupils on free school meals – or eight per cent of all school pupils – next year, which Labour argues undermines promises from the Education Secretary that a ‘tutoring revolution’ would enable pupils to catch-up from the impacts of the pandemic.

Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, Kate Green, has described the plans as a ‘pitiful’ response for children who have missed an average of 115 days of in-person school.

Green is challenging the government on their continued failure to invest in children’s futures, contrasting to Labour’s Children’s Recovery Plan which would deliver new opportunities for all young people to play, learn and develop

She said: “We have seen failure, upon failure from this Conservative government which has treated children as an afterthought and is now failing to invest in their futures. Not only is there nothing in their proposals to support children’s wellbeing or social development but the academic element is woefully insufficient, failing to live-up to the promised tutoring revolution.

“Labour has listened to parents, teachers and children and set out a recovery plan that is ambitious for children futures, with tutoring for all who need it alongside investment in activities and clubs creating new opportunities for every child.”