MP joins fight to protect deaf children from cuts

A campaign to save education and services for deaf children from hefty financial cuts has been backed by Bulwell's Labour MP, Alex Norris.
Bulwell MP Alex Norris supporting the protest outside Parliament on behalf of deaf children. (PHOTO BY: Manu Palomeque)Bulwell MP Alex Norris supporting the protest outside Parliament on behalf of deaf children. (PHOTO BY: Manu Palomeque)
Bulwell MP Alex Norris supporting the protest outside Parliament on behalf of deaf children. (PHOTO BY: Manu Palomeque)

Mr Norris was one of more than 40 MPs who joined a protest outside Parliament by the charity, the National Deaf Children’s Society.

They heard from deaf youngsters and their families about how £4 million of cuts, planned by the government this year, could severely harm the support on offer to England’s 45,000 deaf children.

It is estimated that one-third of local councils across England are reducing funding for deaf children. In Nottinghamshire, there is a proposed budget cut of 21 per cent, and vacancies for teachers of the deaf will not be filled.

Mr Norris said: “Ensuring access to education for all young people, whatever their hurdles, is really important in our community.

“Enrusing that deaf children get the best education is critical, and I am very worried that the government cuts will mean that the local authority won’t be able to do this.

“Therefore, I will be campaigning in Parliament for all deaf children to get the education they deserve.”

John Reeves, the campaigns manager at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “The Department of Education urgently needs to get a grip on the mounting funding crisis in deaf children’s education.

“It was fantastic that more than 40 MPs came along to our event to show their support for deaf children, and to put pressure on the government to act.”