A year as MP: I will continue to fight for more funding and a decent education for all local children, says Ian Sollom

Education was high on Ian Sollom’s list of priorities when he was elected MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire nearly a year ago and he has pledged to continue to work hard to support and represent local people in the coming year.

During the last year, Ian has visited all the secondary schools in the area, as well as some primary and special schools. The visits have allowed him to meet with a range of staff members and witnessed the great work they are doing to support children in the community. He also had the opportunity to meet pupils of all ages, taking part in some interesting question and answer sessions.

But he also heard a great deal from staff about the lack of funding in local schools and particularly the strain they are under to provide for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. He has also heard from a lot of parents whose children are being failed by the system.

Ian said: “I will continue to work with the Liberal Democrats nationally to press the Government to increase overall funding and in particular SEND provision. And I will continue to listen to and support parents who are battling with the system, to ensure children have the education they deserve.”

He has also held regular meetings with senior leaders in schools to discuss concerns raised by the school community, as well as meetings with Ofsted and the Department for Education’s Regional Director. 

In Westminster, Ian was a member of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Committee, which was at the forefront of forcing the Government to introduce free school meals for all children from families receiving Universal Credit. This is crucial in helping to tackle child poverty and future life chances of thousands of children.

He has taken an active role on the Liberal Democrat benches and used every opportunity to question the Government on its education policies from taking part in Prime Minister's Questions asking about his government’s skills strategy, through to meeting the Secretary of State regarding sixth form numbers in local schools. Ian’s currently representing a blind A level pupil who has not received a single usable braille past paper to ensure he and pupils like him are not discriminated against in future.

And in his role as Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Universities and Skills, Ian has taken part in a variety of debates focusing on skills, maths, higher education and has met many different organisations, charities and experts in the area. 

Ian said: “It’s been a privilege to meet so many teachers and staff in our schools and see the fantastic work they do every day, especially in the face of funding and resourcing issues. The pupils I've met have asked thoughtful, challenging questions and remind me why fighting for proper education funding - especially for SEND provision - is so important. Over the next year I'll continue visiting more schools and pushing the Government for the resources our children deserve.”