People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin
Said the Foyleside councillor: “The axing of funding for the Extended Schools Programme by the Department of Education is callous in the extreme.
“This vital programme helped disadvantaged children participate in breakfast, after-school, homework, art, drama and sports clubs.
“This savage cut comes on top of other savage cuts that targeted children in recent weeks – baby books, holiday meals and mental health programmes were slashed too.
“The Tories, DUP and those making these decisions appear determined to inflict as much suffering on communities here as possible.
“The notion this is happening because there is no money available is nonsense – corporations are posting record profits and there is hundreds of billions in Westminster coffers.
“The Tories are insisting on brutal austerity medicine as a political choice.
“All the main parties here have made a habit of insisting there is no choice but implementing Tory cuts.
“We need to reject this logic. Teachers will be on strike next week to oppose pay and education cuts.
“They will be joined by striking civil servants and road service workers. This resistance is the way forward.
“People Before Profit will be supporting the strikes and will work with everyone committed to building up resistance to the Tories.”
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