Extra funding step in the right direction says Wyre Forest MP
This money is part of a proposed £350 million boost to the most underfunded local authorities. This is a huge step towards removing the unfairness in the school funding system.
Mark is a member of the F40 group who represent the lowest funded local authorities in England. The group has been campaigning hard for fairer funding for schools to redress the imbalance in the current system. Today’s announcement represents an increase in funding of 1.7% for schools in Wyre Forest or £71 per pupil.
The minimum funding level will now be based on five pupil characteristics: a basic per pupil amount; pupils who are from deprived backgrounds; pupils who have been looked after; pupils with low attainment before starting at either their primary or secondary school; and pupils who speak English as an additional language. The Government will also set a minimum lump sum for each school on top of its per-pupil funding and a minimum funding level for small schools that are essential to serving rural areas.
Mark Garnier MP said “This extra money represents a step forward in the campaign for a fairer school funding system. The F40 group has been campaigning for many years to address the outdated system of funding which was confusing and led to extreme unfairness with pupils in Worcestershire receiving much less funding per pupil than neighbouring areas such as Birmingham.
“This Government is the first in 20 years to acknowledge the imbalance in the current system. The announcement shows that the hard work of the F40 group is paying off and that the Government recognises the unfairness and inequality in the present formula. The F40 group will continue to campaign and push for a fairer funding system to ensure that children across Wyre Forest get the best deal.”