Lefroy welcomes more cash for schools

Education Secretary Justine Greening recently announced the boost to the core schools budget, which will deliver the biggest improvement to the school funding system for well over a decade.

This additional funding to the fairer schools funding will mean an increase in the basic amount that every pupil will get, protected funding for those with high needs and will ensure every local authority is in a position to give schools a cash increase through the new formula.

Mr Lefroy has repeatedly hit out at a lack of investment in schools across Staffordshire over recent years and has said he will continue to fight to ensure children across the county have an equal opportunity when compared with other areas.

He said: “School children in Staffordshire have been consistently funded well below the national average and I have been determined to ensure that a new national formula is introduced to ensure money is allocated more consistently across the country.

"The introduction of fairer schools funding – backed by this additional investment – will deliver the biggest improvement to the school funding system for well over a decade.

"It will mean an increase in the basic amount that every pupil will get, protected funding for those with high needs and will ensure every local authority is in a position to give schools a cash increase through the new formula.

“In the meantime, I will continue to do what I can to ensure every child has the opportunity to attend a good school and reach their full potential.”

The £1.3 billion additional investment in core schools funding will be funded in full from efficiencies and savings identified from within the DfE’s existing budget.

The announcement comes just a few weeks after Jeremy had raised the issue during his remarks on the Queen’s Speech.

In his speech he had urged the Government to look at providing extra funding for schools as it pushes ahead with its plans for a new fair funding formula.