Ray Lewis: Newham Council Confirms Not Funding EYLA

I asked Lewis at the press conference yesterday why it was that Newham Council had stopped funding his Academy. He replied that it was funding it. Afterwards he again claimed that some funding was continuing, but Newham has now confirmed that that was wrong. A spokesman says:

"In the current financial year, there is no general financial support provided to Eastside. It ended at the end of March because the council changed the way it awards funds to groups and organisations within the voluntary, community and faith sectors. Instead of supporting groups with grants, the council now commissions the services it requires through an open, transparent and competitive procurement process. EYLA were not successful in the process. What Mr Lewis may have been referring to is an individual support package for one young person that was procured in error by a social worker. This was stopped immediately because Eastside is not one of the preferred providers with whom we have a contract. No more than four weeks money at £250 per week would have been paid."