John
12-01-2010, 07:08 PM
David Cameron has hinted at a u-turn on school sport funding as British athletes including the world champion diver Tom Daley criticise his "ill-conceived" cuts.
A letter signed by 80 sports stars attacks the proposal to cut a £162m ring-fenced fund for partnerships between schools.
Boxer James DeGale, cyclist Jamie Staff and sailor Andrew Simpson and are among the well-known figures to have added their names.
"With one ill-conceived cut you are on the brink of destroying everything schools, clubs and the national governing bodies of sport are doing to ensure this and future generations embrace sport and physical activity not shun it," the letter said.
They plan to present a petition to the Government next week.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Cameron said he was "looking seriously" at how best to reform the system.
His spokesman said Education Secretary Michael Gove had been asked to re-examine the decision to scrap the ring-fenced cash.
Mr Cameron's remarks signal a shift in tone from last week's Commons clash when he described the project, introduced by Labour, as a "complete failure".
The Government had said it wanted to axe the fund and instead give headteachers more power over how school budgets are spent.
But in response to a question from former Labour sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe, over whether he would consider working with the shadow cabinet to find an alternative, Mr Cameron appeared to soften his approach.
It does seem to me that we all have a shared interest here," the Prime Minister said.
"We all want good sport in schools, we all want more competitive sport and we have all got to make sure that money is spent well.
"I think everyone accepts that not every penny was spent well in the past and there is quite a bureaucratic system."
He said ministers were "working hard" speaking to headteachers to see what would work on the ground. He added he hoped to make an announcement soon.
Shadow education secretary Andy Burnham said Mr Gove's plans had "sparked a remarkable grassroots revolt".
He continued: "It seems they now admit that they got it wrong and that school sports partnerships have been a success."
Mr Burnham has written to Mr Gove offering to work with the Government if it reconsiders the plan to scrap the partnerships.
"We believe that the decision to end funding for School Sports Partnerships risks damaging the progress made in recent years on school sport," he said in his letter.
"The response from so many credible voices from the world of sport speaks volumes about the great achievements of the Partnerships."
Source - Yahoo News.
A letter signed by 80 sports stars attacks the proposal to cut a £162m ring-fenced fund for partnerships between schools.
Boxer James DeGale, cyclist Jamie Staff and sailor Andrew Simpson and are among the well-known figures to have added their names.
"With one ill-conceived cut you are on the brink of destroying everything schools, clubs and the national governing bodies of sport are doing to ensure this and future generations embrace sport and physical activity not shun it," the letter said.
They plan to present a petition to the Government next week.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Cameron said he was "looking seriously" at how best to reform the system.
His spokesman said Education Secretary Michael Gove had been asked to re-examine the decision to scrap the ring-fenced cash.
Mr Cameron's remarks signal a shift in tone from last week's Commons clash when he described the project, introduced by Labour, as a "complete failure".
The Government had said it wanted to axe the fund and instead give headteachers more power over how school budgets are spent.
But in response to a question from former Labour sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe, over whether he would consider working with the shadow cabinet to find an alternative, Mr Cameron appeared to soften his approach.
It does seem to me that we all have a shared interest here," the Prime Minister said.
"We all want good sport in schools, we all want more competitive sport and we have all got to make sure that money is spent well.
"I think everyone accepts that not every penny was spent well in the past and there is quite a bureaucratic system."
He said ministers were "working hard" speaking to headteachers to see what would work on the ground. He added he hoped to make an announcement soon.
Shadow education secretary Andy Burnham said Mr Gove's plans had "sparked a remarkable grassroots revolt".
He continued: "It seems they now admit that they got it wrong and that school sports partnerships have been a success."
Mr Burnham has written to Mr Gove offering to work with the Government if it reconsiders the plan to scrap the partnerships.
"We believe that the decision to end funding for School Sports Partnerships risks damaging the progress made in recent years on school sport," he said in his letter.
"The response from so many credible voices from the world of sport speaks volumes about the great achievements of the Partnerships."
Source - Yahoo News.