Education secretary hits back at Liz Truss's 'macho' jibe over spending demands

Damian Hinds said he would push for a five year settlement and a ten year plan like the NHS has

Education secretary Damian Hinds has hit back at fellow minister Liz Truss, dismissing her suggestion that asking for better funding for his department is “macho”.

Mr Hinds went on to confirm that he would be fighting for more “visibility” in the education budget, possibly calling for a ten year spending plan.

He made the comments after Treasury Chief Secretary Ms Truss launched an outspoken attack on cabinet colleagues, like defence secretary Gavin Williamson and home secretary Sajid Javid, who have also demanded extra cash.

Speaking on Tuesday she said it is “not macho just to demand more money. It’s much tougher to demand better value and challenge the blob of vested interests within your department”.

But asked about the comment on Wednesday, Mr Hinds said: “I’m not sure how ‘macho’ fits in with these things.

“When it comes to our key public services, of which education is one, we need to make sure that we have the level of resourcing we would all expect for our children and the nation’s children.”

He added: “We also have to make sure that money is well spent.”

After health secretary Jeremy Hunt won a £20bn settlement for the health service, other cabinet ministers have been pushing the case for more money ahead of a spending review later this year.

Asked if he was battling for a ten year plan for education and a funding settlement that is similar to the NHS, he said: “Having longer term visibility is helpful in every sector.”

Mr Hinds went on: “As we come up to the spending review all spending departments will be making their case, I’ll be making our case.”

Asked specifically if he would be pushing for a five year settlement, he said: “Yes, I would be keen for as much stability, and as I say, forward visibility as possible.”

Ms Truss’s attack came in a hard-hitting lecture at the London School of Economics, which is likely to open tit-for-tat battles in the cabinet over tax-and-spend policies.

On Mr Williamson and Mr Javid’s bids for more Treasury cash, Ms Truss said: “Those familiar with the 1984 film Gremlins – will recall how the cute Gizmo, when fed after midnight, turned into a slime-soaked baddie Stripe.

“In much the same way, there’s a tendency for governments and bureaucracy to multiply and exert further control. And before you know it gremlins are everywhere.

“There is a temptation to feed these creatures after midnight.”