£48 BILLION WASTED ON UNSUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 1st Nov 2006

The Liberal Democrats have launched an on line petition as part of their campaign to tackle homophobic bullying in schools. Commenting, Paul Holmes, MP for Chesterfield and previously a local teacher for twenty years said:

"We have launched a petition calling for all schools in Chesterfield to develop measures to tackle homophobic bullying. Taunts and name calling should be challenged immediately so that it's clear such behaviour won't be tolerated.

"I have a real concern about all aspects of bullying. I am turning the spotlight on this particular problem because homophobic bullying is harder to monitor and tackle at the moment. It is not about being "politically correct" but ensuring that all pupils know bullying will not be tolerated - and there are no exceptions.

"Homophobic bullying affects not only pupils who grow up to be gay, but those with gay family members and pupils labelled "gay" by their peers.

"If a pupil is bullied because of race, looks or a disability they are likely to at least have supportive parents. This is often not the case for young gay people and it is difficult for them to know which teacher they can confide in.

"Homophobic bullying is a painful issue that too many pupils, teachers and parents here in Chesterfield have to deal with every day. I want their voices to be heard in the wider debate on how to stamp out all types of bullying in our schools.

"Putting a duty on schools will ensure there is someone for the young person to turn to and will send out a message that homophobic abuse should be treated with the same zero tolerance as racist abuse. Our schools here in Chesterfield should be safe places of learning for all children irrespective of their sexuality."Sign the Liberal Democrats' on line online at www.libdems.org.uk/campaigns/stop-homophobic-bullying.html