Liberal Democrats Our plan to give children the best start in life








As we gear up for the General Election, we're sharing our pre-manifesto
policies through a series of emails, focusing on the Fair Deal we're
championing in key areas.

The pre-manifesto is an early version of the party’s manifesto for the
General Election, setting out our core values and vision.

More details on these policies, and how they will be implemented and funded,
will be outlined when the full manifesto is published.

Here’s a snapshot of our plans for education, children and young people 🔽






Why we need a Fair Deal for Education



Education is key to unlocking the potential of every child, but it has faced
enormous strain in recent years.

The Covid pandemic did huge damage to children’s learning and mental health.
Schools are crumbling and pupils' learning is being disrupted.

The Conservatives have neglected schools. Their reckless cuts and teacher
shortages have let children and parents down.

We will invest in education through childhood and beyond, to give everyone
the skills and confidence they need to thrive.







Giving children the best start in life



We have a comprehensive plan to restore the education system, ensuring it
works for both children and parents.

We will:

✅ Increase per-pupil school and college funding above the rate of inflation
every year.

✅ Invest in new school and college buildings and clear the backlog of repairs.

✅ Extend free school meals to all children in poverty.

✅ Put a dedicated, qualified mental health professional in every school so
all children and parents can access support. We’ve already taken steps to
achieve this, with Munira Wilson MP submitting herSchools’ Mental Health Bill
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in January.

✅ Tackle the crisis in special educational needs provision by giving
additional funding to local authorities, reducing the amount schools pay
towards a child’s Education Health and Care Plan.

✅ Appoint a Cabinet Minister for Children and Young People so they are made a
government priority.


To truly support children, we must also support parents by offering flexible
working to balance work and home life. We will:

✅ Ensure that all parents can access childcare that is flexible, affordable
and fair. To do so, we will review the rates paid to providers for free hours,
ensuring they cover the actual costs of high quality childcare and early years
education.







Lifelong learning



Our education reforms go beyond school, to include higher education and
beyond. Education and training should not be confined to young people; it
should be a lifelong pursuit so everyone can reach their full potential.

We will:

✅ Reinstate maintenance grants for disadvantaged students so living costs can
never be a barrier to studying at university.

✅ Create new ‘Skills Wallets’, giving all adults £10,000 to spend on
education and training throughout their lives.

✅ Expand opportunities for young people to study, teach and volunteer abroad
byrejoining the Erasmus Plus programme as an associated country.




That’s the fair deal for education, children and young people that we’ll be
fighting for at the General Election.

Stay tuned for the next edition of our Fair Deal series - coming to your
inbox soon!

Best wishes,




Liberal Democrats


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Will you support our fight for a Fair Deal?


We need your help to elect more Liberal Democrats and fight for change. Can
you help us today?


Donate ➜
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Missed our previous emails in this series?


Find them all below to learn about our pre-manifesto policies in other areas:


* For A Fair Deal Introduction
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* Health
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* The Economy, Business & Jobs
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* The Environment, Climate & Energy
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* Foreign Affairs & Defence
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* Rights & Equality
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* Political Reform
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Published and promoted by Mike Dixon on behalf of the Liberal Democrats
<[link removed]>, 1 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PN.