SCHOOLS are safe from massive cuts - but people's wallets will be lightened to help pay for it.

A £4 million Christmas present for the borough's prized education service has been granted by the Government.

But that merely reduces next year's cuts list to £6 million, along with inflation-busting rises in council tax.

The borough's MPs say teachers and parents will be delighted, but others have criticised the settlement.

Town hall leaders had feared another £10 million of cuts, coming on top of last year's "worst ever" £12.4 million cuts.

The Government has increased its grant by nearly 11 per cent or an extra £6 million, of which £4 million is earmarked for education.

And by relaxing "capping" rules, it allows Bury to raise council tax bills by perhaps eight per cent.

Coun Derek Boden, leader of Bury council, said schools had some breathing space.

"It still means we need to find £5-6 million and that is not going to be easy considering the massive cuts we have had to stomach over the last six years."

Bury North MP David Chaytor said Bury had not done too badly.

He added: "I think that if it comes to a choice between higher tax and even bigger cuts in council services, Bury people would be prepared to pay a bit more."

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