Education should be saved from cuts says Liam Byrne

Efficiency savings should not come from front line services such as education, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne has said.

Alistair Darling’s number two made these comments to an audience of invited guests from local voluntary groups at the Prentice Centre in Granton.

Accompanied by MP Mark Lazarowicz, MSP Malcolm Chisholm and Forth Councillor Cammy Day, Mr Byrne addressed volunteers and mothers from ‘Stepping Stones’ who help young parents and pregnant teenagers in the North Edinburgh area and The Pilton Equality Project.

Mr Byrne said: “Unemployment is lower than in the 80s and 90s because we chose to help businesses and people. We have to think where jobs in the future will come from. I believe that we should make more investment in the manufacturing industry and share future prizes fairly.

"Tax credits are very important and make a huge difference to some people, and I believe that the Tories want to cut them along with child trust funds. You all have a big decision to make in the next couple of months."

Working mother Julie Laidlaw from Easter Drylaw told Mr Byrne that she would be better off by now working as she receives no help with school meals, school uniforms or rent, yet when she was unemployed she got clothing grants, milk tokens and other benefits. She also praised the tax credit system and said: “Without tax credits we would not have been able to eat.”

Mr Byrne responded by telling the audience: “People are desperate to hang onto their independence. When the sense of independence is gone, it’s hard to get it back again. We are not pretending that everything has been a bed of roses. Nettles need grasping, but the last place to look for efficiency savings is in front line services such as education, NHS and policing.”

Mr Lazarowicz also criticised planned cuts in services by Edinburgh Council: “The council will be making an announcement about vicious cutbacks, and part of the problem is that there is no ring fencing of basic services.”

Following the event, Mr Byrne told The Journal: “It’s really valuable to sit down with groups like this where you get the chance to get different perspectives across the country.”

Ms Laidlaw, a lifetime Labour supporter, praised Mr Byrne for taking the time to address the meeting. She said: “I found Mr Byrne quite understanding of everybody’s situation. He looked like he was really listening, and I felt that I could speak to him without being intimidated. At the end, he shook my hand.”