* Lucas to speak at a rally in Brighton where she will also lead tributes to those who were killed and injured in Manchester this week.
Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party, will today pledge that her party would increase real terms funding for schools. Lucas, who will speak at a Save our Schools rally in Brighton [1], will back calls by the Association of School and College Leaders to increase the schools budget by £7bn a year by 2022. Her party intends to pay for such an increase through a fairer tax system which would include a rise in corporation tax and a wealth tax on the richest.
Lucas will also pay respects to those who were killed and injured in Manchester this week, and praise the emergency services and 'communities across the country' for their response to the terrorist attack.
In their manifesto the Conservative Party have promised an extra £4bn funding by 2020. The Institute of Fiscal Studies says that the £4bn pledge is nearer a £1bn real terms increase once you strip out inflation - this equates to a 3% per pupil funding cut between this year and 21-22 when you take account of per-pupil growth.
Lucas will also say that her party opposed the Conservative's cruel plan to 'snatch' free school lunches from primary pupils.
Caroline Lucas, who is seeking re-election as the MP for Brighton Pavilion, will say:
"The Tories' plans for our schools will leave teachers stressed and stretched, and risk our children's education.
"PTAs are already fundraising to pay for essential equipment like pens and glue sticks - the situation is getting desperate. The Green Party would invest £7bn into our schools by 2022- ensuring teachers have the resources they need, and every child has the best possible education. We fully support parents and teachers who are fighting for fair funding for schools, and Green MPs elected on June 8th will use their voice in Parliament to hold Ministers to account and push for a world class education for every child.
"The underfunded breakfast policy the Tories have tried to use to deflect criticism of their lunch-snatch policy, would leave schools with just 7p per breakfast. Just like on social care policy their plans are dangerous, and show they have no understanding of the real costs schools face."
ENDS
Contact: Matthew Butcher on 07885 459 904 or matthew.butcher@greenparty.org.uk
[1] The rally will take place on The Level, in Brighton and will begin at 3.30pm. Caroline Lucas is expected to speak at the start of the rally.