(High Peak) (Con):
Q3. I recently met many of my local headteachers in the High
Peak, and they are concerned about the new national funding
formula. Can my right hon. Friend assure me that when we decide
on the funding for our schools, we will look at unavoidable
costs, such as the national apprenticeship levy, to ensure that
our schools have the money that they need to educate our
children? [908790]
The Prime Minister: I thank my hon. Friend for
raising this. The question of schools funding, and the system we
have for schools funding, is important. I think the current
system is unfair. It is not transparent and it is out of date.
That has been the general view for some time now. The problem is
that it cannot support the aspiration of all our children to get
a great education. We do, indeed, want children to be able to get
the education that they deserve and that ensures that they can go
as far as their talents and hard work take them. The Labour
Government did nothing to address the funding system. We are
looking at that funding system. It is a consultation, and I am
sure that the comments and the issue my hon. Friend has raised
will be noted by the Secretary of State for Education.
(Leigh) (Lab): On the
steps of Downing Street, the Prime Minister pledged to end the
“burning injustice” of so few working-class boys going to
university. Will she tell me how cutting every single secondary
school in Leigh, Wigan, Rochdale, Trafford and Manchester through
her new schools funding formula will do anything other than make
that injustice even worse?
The Prime Minister: I want to ensure, through
the education system that we provide, that there is a good school
place for every child. I am pleased to say that under
Conservatives in government, we have seen 1.8 million more
children in good or outstanding schools. We are looking at the
funding formula for schools and listening to the comments that
have been made, but everyone across the House will recognise that
it has been said for some time now that the existing formula is
not transparent or fair. We are looking at a new formula, but I
can assure the right hon. Gentleman that our education policy is
about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to go as far
as their talents and their hard work enable them to go.
