NOT merely incapable of simple arithmetic, Tory leader William Hague has failed to do his homework on school spending in his own constituency.

He has scored an own goal after accusing his local education authority of spending thousands of pounds on "unnecessary" repairs to school windows, instead of allowing the school to spend the money to retain a teacher.

In a damning letter to William Hague, local Tory education chief, Cllr D J Dennis, sought to set the record straight. The £98,000 for the windows came from Labour's New Deal for Schools budget. Cllr Dennis points to an inspection by a Senior Maintenance Officer in which the Maintenance Officer is "certain they need replacement". The letter continues saying that it is "fortunate that the New Deal for Schools ... has given us the opportunity to do this".

William Hague clearly hasn't got a clue when it comes to education. This latest mistake shows why he can't be trusted on schools. The fact is that William Hague is committed to massive cuts to education spending.

Labour knows there is much more to do for schools, but only the school dunce would axe measures which are finally getting it right.

Martin Gallagher

Bury Road, Bolton