Mayor's misguided proposals on academies are challenged by LDA Board - Dee Doocey welcomes decision of LDA to stand up to Boris Johnson (Ilford South Liberal Democrats)

Ilford South Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Mayor's misguided proposals on academies are challenged by LDA Board - Dee Doocey welcomes decision of LDA to stand up to Boris Johnson

May 20, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by London Assembly Liberal Democrats

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly spokesperson on the London economy, commenting on today's decision by the London Development Agency (LDA) Board not to support the Mayor's proposal to fund new academies said:

"The Mayor's proposals are so misguided that even his hand picked Board are refusing to go along with his proposals for academies unless the Mayor 'directs' them to do so. The LDA's Board are quite right to challenge the Mayor as they know full well that putting money into creating new schools falls outside of the LDA's remit.

"If the Mayor has any sense he will now back down on his proposals to create new schools and instead let the LDA get on with its core tasks of supporting businesses, training London's unemployed and promoting the capital's economy."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The LDA Board were divided on the Mayor's proposal to divert funding from the LDA into new academies. The LDA Board decided that the Mayor must now use his powers of direction if his proposals for funding academies are to go ahead.