Commenting on the announcement of £130m of capital funding for schools and FE Colleges by the Welsh Assembly Government, Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Education Minister, Jenny Randerson AM said:
"No matter how Labour and Plaid try to dress this up, the facts are stark. They received school bids for 130 projects, totalling £405m. They have funded just 32 projects, at a value of under £80m. FE didn't fair much better, receiving only £52m of bids for £206m.
"I believe that although the Government claim this is just the first tranche of funding, we won't see much more this year. Last year, schools capital funding was £168m. It is clear that this year, our children's education is facing a savage cut in funding.
"It is obvious that with Labour and Plaid in Government, Welsh children are condemned to learn in buildings that are falling apart and costly to maintain. In economic terms, this funding cut is yet another Assembly Government inflicted hammer blow for the Welsh construction industry. Skilled Jobs could easily be created now by bringing forward school building projects and stimulating the construction industry with immediate fast-tracking of Assembly capital expenditure programs. At a time when a funding boost is desperately needed we are seeing cuts instead of stimulus."
