Back to School - Beith Tackles Government over Funding

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 3rd Jan 2006

Alan Beith MP has challenged the government to end the financial squeeze on Northumberland's schools.

Latest figures show that Northumberland receives the lowest amount of funding per pupil in the whole of England. Only £3,300 comes from central government for each child in Northumberland, compared with £6,708 in the City of London. Although the figures for 2006-7 include a 6.6% increase on 2005-6, this is less than the national average of 6.8% and much less than the 8.2% increase in Brent.

Speaking at the Duchess High School's Prize Giving at the end of December, Alan said:

"The whole basis of the settlement for education is still grossly unfair to Northumberland. To make matters worse, Northumberland is still at the back of the queue for capital funding for new buildings. Alnwick desperately needs a new high school and this should not be deferred even if there are changes or delays in the schools reorganisation plans."

In Northumberland, a high proportion of the education budget has to cover transport costs, which is inevitable in rural areas. Alan has asked the Secretary of State for Education to justify the allocation of funding for Northumberland, and will continue to fight for a fairer slice of the education budget.