Government announces £1.3bn funding boost for schools

Education Secretary Justine Greening announced the policy on Monday
BBC
Jonathan Mitchell17 July 2017
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Justine Greening pledged to create a “world class education system” as she announced £1.3 billion in funding is to be pumped into schools over the next two years.

The education secretary announced the extra funding under a revised National Funding Formula as she appeared before MPs in the Commons on Monday.

The funding will be taken from savings from existing budgets, such as spending on free school plans.

Campaigners called for an end to school cuts during a march in London
AFP/Getty Images

But opposing politicians claimed the statement “raised more questions than answers” and that the funding is “nothing more than a sticking plaster”.

The education secretary was also accused of "recycling" the existing education funding.

She pledged a rise in the overall core schools budget, from £41 billion in 2017/18 to £43.5 billion in 2019/20, and that most of the money would come from efficiency savings.

Ms Greening told MPs: “The significant investment we are making in schools in the reforms that we are introducing underpin our aim for a world class education system.

“Together they will give schools a firm foundation that will enbable them to continue to raise standards, promote school mobility and to give every child the best possible education and the best opportunities for the future.”

A new National Funding Formula was introduced by Ms Greening just before Christmas, but was criticised by some headteachers and parents.

Campaigners have called on the Government to reverse cuts to school budgets that have taken place since 2015 and protect per pupil funding in real terms.

Labour shadow education secretary Angela Rayner thanked teachers and parents for campaigning for more funding, but criticised the money as not enough to help schools across the UK.

Ms Rayner: “I know they’re in full retreat from their own manifesto, but I don’t see how this £1.3bn can possibly be within it.

She added: "Astoundingly this has all been funded without a penny of new money from the Treasury."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also criticised the plans, claiming the capital's schools will "lose out" under the proposals.

He said: "I am disappointed that ministers continue to ignore my advice, and that of so many schools, boroughs and parents in London.

“The implications are severe - we will lose teachers, standards risk dropping dramatically, special educational needs units will be impacted, school days could be shorter, extracurricular activities could become a thing of the past, and pupils will suffer.

"It is a kick in the teeth for everyone who has worked so hard in recent years to make London an international beacon for education, with a proven track record in supporting disadvantaged pupils.

“The capital’s schools are being penalised for success."

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT union, said: "This appears to be a recycled announcement of recycled money, reflecting previous ministerial statements.

"It is unclear whether this funding will be new money, or simply existing school funding which is to be recycled.

"There is no guarantee that it will be sufficient to ensure that the Conservative Party's manifesto pledge, that no school will lose out because of the national funding formula, will be met."

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