UNIONS are hosting a public meeting in Keighley to protest against cuts to school funding, to be attended by MP John Grogan.

The meeting, at Keighley Civic Centre on Friday October 18 from 7pm to 9pm, is being hosted by the National Education Union, Keighley Trades Council and Unison.

The Trades Council claims a promised increase to schools funding will not compensate for the decreased per pupil funding seen over recent years.

Secretary Dave Towers said parents and teachers alike had seen the immediate effect of the cuts, but now longer-term effects were becoming apparent, such as a fall in the pass rates in school examinations.

He said data available at the meeting will demonstrate to parents the loss of per-pupil funding in local schools during the period 2015-19.

He added: “Areas such has Keighley have suffered greater cuts to per pupil funding than the national average. Come and tell us of the impact these have made at local schools so we can collate this information to lobby for fair funding.

“We can only fight for the funding our children if we have detailed information.

“Our panel will include education practitioners and schools trade unionists. We want to link the facts on cuts to the personal experiences of parents to assess how best we can take the campaign forward.”

Ian Murch, from the National Education Union, said Keighley had already suffered more than most places from school cuts, with pupils with Special Needs particularly hard hit.

He added: “Keighley also includes some of the most deprived communities in England. Promises expressed by the Government do little or nothing for Keighley.”