Commenting on analysis from the Education Policy Institute (EPI)
showing school funding increases are set to disproportionately
benefit pupils from more affluent backgrounds , Avis Gilmore,
Deputy General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"While the Government has promised levelling up in school funding
this EPI report shows that the reverse is happening - with more
of the extra funding going to richer areas than to the poorest
areas.
“The NEU published data in October 2019 which showed that, even
taking into account the planned funding increases for 2020,
schools serving the poorest students had suffered most under the
Conservatives. Primary schools serving the most deprived intakes
had seen their annual funding per pupil fall on average by £382
in real terms since 2015, compared to £125 for those with the
least deprived intakes. The figures for secondary schools were
even greater, with those serving the most deprived intakes losing
£509 in real terms per pupil compared to £117 for those with the
least deprived intakes.
“This EPI report hows that the Government is increasing that gap,
not closing it, through the way it is distributing its 2020
funding increase, with bigger increases going to those schools
with fewer disadvantaged students.
“The cuts schools and colleges have suffered to their budgets
since 2015 have impacted greatly on children and young peoples
education. While we welcome the extra money being given to
schools and colleges it is still not enough to address the
current shortfall in funding. Focusing the additional funding
available away from those students with the greatest need will
result in many children not getting the education they deserve.”
ENDS
Editor’s Note
The NEU funding data referred to above continue to be available
via the School Cuts website https://schoolcuts.org.uk/
Note to editors:
-
The National Education Union stands up for the future of
education. It brings together the voices of more than 450,000
teachers, lecturers, support staff and leaders working in
maintained and independent schools and colleges across the UK,
to form the largest education union in Europe.
-
It is an independent, registered trade union and
professional association, representing its members in England,
Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man and the
Channel Islands.
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The National Education Union is affiliated to the Trades
Union Congress (TUC), European Trade Union Committee for
Education (ETUCE) and Education International (EI). It is not
affiliated to any political party and seeks to work
constructively with all the main political parties.
