A Remain-supporting London council has sparked fury after blaming Brexit for proposed plans to close a number of local primary schools.
Lambeth Council, which is home to the highest proportion of pro-EU voters in the UK, is formally consulting residents and school communities amid concern about falling primary school pupil numbers.
There has been a drastic drop in children starting at primary schools in Lambeth over the past decade, with an almost 30 per cent drop recorded in January 2024.
More than 500 vacancies have now been opened up in reception classes alone, the equivalent of 18 empty classrooms.
Brexit has been blamed for ‘closing’ primary schools
PAIn an update published on September 9, Lambeth Council identified Brexit as a key reason behind the fall in primary school pupil numbers.
Lambeth Council said: "Due to Brexit, the cost of living crisis, the pandemic and other factors, fewer children are going to Primary School in Lambeth.
"This can put our schools at risk, as they are funded by the number of students they have.”
It added: “The combination of these factors means urgent action is needed, and the new consultation contains proposals for amalgamations and closures of a small number of local primary schools with the aim of reducing the risk of the schools building up big deficits.”
However, leading Eurosceptics have argued Lambeth Council is still suffering from “Brexit derangement sydrome”.
Reform UK’s London Assembly Member Alex Wilson told GB News: “Lambeth Council’s absurd claim that Brexit is responsible for the closure of local primary schools is just another instance of the establishment deflecting blame for its own shortcomings.
“For years, schools in Lambeth have struggled to meet performance standards. Instead of blaming an event from over four years ago, the local authority might benefit from some self-reflection.”
A Vote Leave event held in London in 2016
PA
Gareth Knight, who headed up the Vote Leave campaign in London, also said: “They’ve got an issue with school numbers reducing and leaving lots of empty spaces but it seems odd to relate it to Brexit.
“Covid surely has had a bigger impact and resulted in an awful lot of people moving out of London.
“I don’t understand how it can be to do with Brexit. Lambeth is an expensive place, especially for buying where it’s almost imopossible.”
Referring to the potential connection between Brexit and birth rates, Knight asked: “Do they think Lambeth has stopped having sex since 2016?”
He added: “This strikes me as Lambeth Council having a little kick out at Brexit because there’s enough people who hate it in that area.”
Another veteran Vote Leave campaigner argued: “Brexit derangement still seems to be alive and kicking in the Labour Party.
“When councils should be focussing on lowering taxes and delivering better services, we still see some trying to partake in foreign relations.
Lambeth emphatically voted to remain in the EU
PA
“The country is riddled with incompetent politicians at all levels and some will look for any excuse to try and wriggle their way out of taking any responsibility for their lack of decent leadership.”
And former Minister for London Paul Scully lambasted Lambeth, telling GB News the council "can't help themselves but raking over the Brexit vote and coming to a wrong conclusion".
He continued: "People have indeed left London, mainly throughout Covid to move to other parts of the UK, but EU migration to London is still increasing.
"Overall, net international migration was up by more than 150,000 in 2023 - the last figures published on the Greater London Authority's own website.
"This is just confirmation bias from a council who are still trying to wish away Brexit."
Lambeth decisively voted to stay in the EU, with 78 per cent opposing Brexit in 2016.
Despite making reference to Brexit in its update, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Childen & Families did not appear to refer to the UK’s departure from the EU.
Cllr Ben Kind said: “I understand how this is an incredibly difficult situation for all involved.
“It is not a process either Lambeth Council or anyone in our school community want to be undertaking.
“However, Lambeth Council has a responsibility to act now, to prevent the situation getting worse and to protect the future of Lambeth’s schools.
More than 500 vacancies have now been opened up in reception classes alone, the equivalent of 18 empty classrooms
PA“We’re building on the action we have taken over several years and must act now to stop debts mounting and school’s futures being put in jeopardy.
“Our focus remains on supporting Lambeth’s high standard of education, and Lambeth Council is working tirelessly with schools to find solutions.
“This consultation is not a reflection on the dedication of our teachers or staff, but on the undeniable reality of declining pupil numbers.
“We’ve engaged with our communities in shaping these proposals, and their feedback has been crucial.
“The council has also written to the Government, calling for immediate support to help safeguard the future of Lambeth’s schools.
“We urgently need the Government to recognise the severity of this situation and provide the backing our schools deserve.”
GB News has approached Lambeth Council for comment.