We ask general election contenders to give their views on a hot topic. This week - education. 

Education has come a long way in Thurrock. If you are elected, what would you do to further help schools?

Tim Aker, Ukip candidate

TOO many families still struggle to get school places for their children in Thurrock.

In fact, I struggled to get into Kenningtons on the first go.

With net immigration running at 300,000, there will always be pressure on school places and infrastructure until we regain control of our borders.

Ukip will control our borders with an Australian-style pointsbased system and prioritise local families for school places. You’re the boss and we will always put Thurrock families first.

We believe grammar schools are the best way to send working class state school pupils to the best universities.Wewill remove tuition fees for students taking engineering, science, technology, maths and medicine so our workforce has the skills we need.

Vocational training will start at GCSE level sowhen students leave education they have the skills to earn a living wage.

Polly Billington, Labour candidate

STUDENTS , parents and teachers are improving our schools here despite government policy.

Unlike the Tories, Labour will protect the education budget and make sure all teachers in state schools are qualified.

Thurrock’s last MP failed to deliver the new school promised.

We will introduce a local director of school standards to address the shortage of school places and raise teaching quality.

Our gold standard technical baccalaureate for 16 to 19-yearolds will include a high-quality work placement. Labour will make sure there are as many apprenticeships as there are university places and we will cut university tuition fees by a third.

I want to see a technical university in Thurrock, so young people can get qualified without having to move. It should offer vocational degrees and training in the skills we need, like engineering, accountancy and logistics.

Jackie Doyle-Price, Conservative candidate

I AM very proud of the improvements made in Thurrock schools. Proud to have brought Harris to the borough, proud to have successfully campaigned for three new free schools and proud to have supported the creation of the Ockendon Studio School.

Our schools have embraced the freedom to become academies and go from strength to strength. It is great to see the establishment of multi-academy trusts at William Edwards and Gateway. Gateway, in particular, is transforming Tilbury Pioneer, which as Tilbury Manor was for many years a failing school. The key is good leadership by passionate staff.

Our heads have great ambitions for their schools, which I actively support.I will also continue to campaign for good school places where parents want them. We will need more new free schools as our population grows. Labour would cancel free schools, including the one planned for Chafford.