Without doubt, education is becoming a political football once again. The Evening Press reported proposed cuts in the education budget for 1999/2000 (January 5).

Year upon year we hear the same overture from County Hall, yet we are constantly hearing the opposite from central government, spending on education is increasing! Is it?

Why is there no mention in the report of reducing budgets for other North Yorkshire County Council services other than the libraries, has the decision already been taken that any cuts must come from education?

Sadly, Special Needs Education would appear to be in line for further cuts. I say further cuts because the creation of the York unitary authority has robbed North Yorkshire children with special needs requirements. The county council does not provide anything near a satisfactory special needs service.

The county council must not be allowed to cut education spending. It is up to parents, school governors and head teachers to pull together to prevent these proposed cuts.

S D Rhodes,

Chairman of the North Yorkshire

Parent Teacher Association,

The Shrubberies,

Cliffe,

Nr Selby.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.