The shadow schools minister has lashed out at a “callous” decision to scrap government-funded support to tackle anti-LGBT bullying.
The cash for projects targeting homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools was “quietly” cut in March, according to the BBC.
The Government Equalities Office (GEO) announced the funding for anti-LGBT bullying initiatives in March 2014, and has paid for the programmes in some form every year since.
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But the GEO said the funds were always due to end in March 2020.
Wes Streeting, Labour MP and shadow schools minister, told education secretary Gavin Williamson to “think again” about pulling the funding.
Tackling anti-LGBT bullying in schools
“All the evidence shows that prejudice-based bullying in our schools has a serious and deleterious impact on pupils’ attainment and wellbeing,” he tweeted.
“As @TulipSiddiq says, pulling away support to tackle anti-LGBT bullying in schools is callous. Think again @GavinWilliamson.”
The news comes in the middle of Anti-Bullying Week, which was promoted by Mr Williamson only this morning.
In a message on Twitter, the Department for Education said: “All children should feel safe in school and at home.”
All children should feel safe in school and at home. Education Secretary @GavinWilliamson talks about the importance of protecting our children and young people from bullying. #AntiBullyingWeek pic.twitter.com/HuyXEO2kg4
- Department for Education (@educationgovuk) November 19, 2020
Tulip Siddiq, the shadow early years minister, quoted the tweet with the caption: “So why have you withdrawn funding for programmes that prevent LGBT bullying in schools?”
In a full statement released separately, Ms Siddiq said: “This decision will only serve to further marginalise LGBT young people.
“The government itself has admitted that young people who identify as LGBT have higher risk of bullying and long-term harm to their education, health and wellbeing, so to be pulling away financial support from those fighting this abuse is especially callous.”
A spokesperson for the government’s equality hub said: “The anti-bullying grant fund, which provided 2,250 schools across the country with materials and training, was always due to end in March 2020.
“The Department for Education will be taking forward all anti-bullying work, alongside rolling out statutory relationships education in all primary schools and relationships and sex education in all secondary schools.”
