Sacked education secretary nabs £10billion funding for cycling as schools cut staff

Kit Malthouse, who was sacked as education secretary when Rishi Sunak became prime minister this week, called on the prime minister and the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt not to resort to "salami slicing". " ministries

Kit Malthouse said schools are "struggling" and warned of massive cuts across all departments (

Image: Getty Images)

A sacked former cabinet member has aimed to rake in £10billion to encourage people to walk and cycle as schools brace for devastating budget cuts.

Kit Malthouse, who was sacked as education secretary when Rishi Sunak became prime minister this week, has called on the prime minister and chancellor Jeremy Hunt not to resort to 'salami slicing' of ministries .

Mr. Hunt will make a statement in the autumn on November 17, in which he is expected to usher in a new era of Tory austerity as officials attempt to plug a £40 billion black hole following the departure of Liz Truss.

Mr. Malthouse, who was only in post for six weeks before being replaced by Gillian Keegan on Tuesday, said that in the past the Treasury had told departments they needed to cut budgets 'in order to spread the pain widely' .

Calling for education to be spared, he said the sector was "struggling" and said he was surprised billions had been committed to transport initiatives ahead of sweeping cuts.

Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are expected to trigger a new wave of austerity measures (

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JESSICA TAYLOR/UK PARLIAMENT/UNPIXS)

He said, "Head teachers across the country are gritting their teeth and sharpening their pencils to make next year's budget work.

"So imagine my surprise when I read that a Minister for Transport had boasted to the dispatch box that the government was planning to spend £9.9billion on 'cycling and walking...