Labour responds to NAO report finding that funding for the most deprived fifth of schools fell between 2017 – 2021

Peter Kyle MP, Labour’s Shadow Schools Minister, responding to an NAO report finding that funding for the most deprived fifth of schools fell between 2017 – 2021, said:

“Even before the pandemic, the Conservatives were stripping away funding from the schools and children who need most support. With the gap in learning between kids on free school meals and their peers widening it couldn’t be clearer the Government has got the wrong priorities for school funding.

“The Conservatives are neglecting children, and their ‘feeble’ recovery plans fall far short of what is needed.

“Labour’s Children’s Recovery Plan would deliver the learning and extracurricular opportunities every child needs to bounce back from the pandemic and reach their full potential. It’s time the Conservatives’ match Labour’s ambition for every child.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

· The National Audit Office found that: “Between 2017-18 and 2020-21, average per-pupil funding in the most deprived fifth of schools fell in real terms by 1.2%, while per-pupil funding in the least deprived fifth increased by 2.9%. In total, 58.3% of the most deprived fifth of schools saw a real-terms decrease in per-pupil funding.”

· At the Education Select Committee on 29 June, Sir Kevan Collins former Education Recovery Commissioner described the government’s proposals as ‘feeble’.

· Labour’s Children’s Recovery Plan: https://labour.org.uk/childrens-recovery-plan/