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Wavertree MP demands fair funding for local schools

Luciana Berger has warned that schools in Wavertree face significant cuts under current Government plans.

The Liverpool MP made the claim as Conservative ministers are planning to introduce a new National Funding Formula for schools across the country.

According to the government’s spending watchdog, the National Audit Office, schools will have to make cuts that amount to some £3 billion by 2020.

Wavertree schools are set to lose around £520 per pupil, with spending per student falling from £4,997.26 in 2015/16 to £4,476.69 in 2019/20.

Ms Berger said: “This is a 10 per cent cut that no school can afford.

“Heads and teachers are desperate to invest in raising standards and supporting their students, but the government is failing them.

“The Secretary of State for Education must make urgent representations to the Chancellor to deliver extra resources for schools in his Budget statement to Parliament on March 8.

“I visit schools and talk to parents, students and teachers regularly.

“They tell me that they are already under pressure from increased class sizes, too little support for children with special needs and unfilled staffing vacancies due to existing budget pressures.

“Parents and teachers are contacting me now about the Tories’ unfair funding formula. They are really worried about the devastating impact it will produce very shortly.

“All they are asking for is a fair funding formula that supports them in offering every child the best possible start in life and the chance to develop their talents.”