A Cumbrian MP has urged the Government to double council tax on second homes to help pay for rural schools.
Tim Farron, who represents Westmorland and Lonsdale, spoke in the House of Commons during a statement on the Government’s Schools White Paper.
He told Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi: “In Cumbria, we have some of the best schools in the country, but we also have some of the smallest because the communities they serve are often half empty – homes are not lived in because they are owned by second homeowners.
“Would he agree with me that it is right to tax second homeowners at least twice the rate of council tax and to use that funding to make sure rural community schools have the support they need to do the job at which they are so good at?”
Responding, the Secretary of State for Education said: “We are supporting small rural schools through the national funding formula to make sure they have the funds they need.”
Afterwards, Mr Farron said: “The response from the minister was truly woeful.
“After the pandemic, our schools need as much support as possible to help young people catch up with the many months of lost learning.
“Doubling council tax on second homes seems a good way of raising funds to help to do that but sadly the Secretary of State seemed totally disinterested.”
Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson also spoke during the statement.
He urged the Education Secretary to provide holistic support for pupils in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr Hudson paid tribute in the chamber to the pupils and teachers in his constituency for their resilience and hard work throughout the pandemic.
He then asked the Education Secretary for reassurances that pupils will receive all the targeted and tailored support that they need, and more broadly the mental health and pastoral support that they need moving forward.
Following the Statement in the Commons, Dr Hudson said: “I welcome the opportunity to give public recognition to teachers, pupils and all staff who rose to the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus pandemic to ensure pupils’ educational progression and success.
“Yet, as we emerge from the pandemic, it is clear that its effects are still being felt in schools across Penrith and the Border.
“Government action is vital to ensure that every child has access to the highest standard of education, and the chance to unlock their full potential. In that spirit, I welcome the Education Secretary’s Schools White Paper, and its commitments including an extra 500,000 teacher training and development opportunities by 2024 and £180mn investment in the early years’ workforce.
“I will continue to campaign to ensure Penrith and the Border’s schools receive their fair share from these announcements, and provide the high-quality education system that pupils deserve.”
