Prime Minister boosts schools with £14 billion package

Schools across England are set for a giant cash boost as the Prime Minister announces he will invest over £14 billion in primary and secondary education between now and 2022/23.   

 

The funding package for 5-16 schools includes £2.6 billion for 2020/21, £4.8 billion for 21/22, and £7.1 billion for 22/23 compared to 19/20. This will bring the schools budget to £52.2bn in 22/23. 

 

This delivers on the Prime Minister’s pledge when entering Downing Street to increase school funding by £4.6bn above inflation, levelling up education funding and giving all young people the same opportunities to succeed – regardless of where they grow up or go to school.

 

As part of this, every secondary school will receive a minimum of £5,000 per pupil next year, with every primary school getting a minimum of £4,000 from 2021/22.

  

The deal includes £700 million extra for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in 2020/21, so every pupil can access the education that is right for them, and none are held back from reaching their potential. 

 

Further details on new funding for sixth forms and further education will be set out tomorrow, followed by reforms to teacher pay, measures to ensure standards in schools and colleges continue to rise, and action to tackle poor behaviour and bullying.

 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“When I became Prime Minster at the start of the summer, I promised to make sure every child receives a superb education - regardless of which school they attend, or where they grew up.

“Today I can announce the first step in delivering on that pledge – funding per pupil in primary and secondary schools will increase, and be levelled up across the entire country.

“We should not accept the idea that there can be “winners or losers” when it comes to our children’s futures. That’s why we are providing additional funding now and for the future for every school, with those historically underfunded receiving the greatest increase.

“My government will ensure all young people get the best possible start in life. That means the right funding, but also giving schools the powers they need to deal with bad behaviour and bullying so pupils continue to learn effectively.” 

The additional funding comes ahead of next week’s Spending Round, and gives schools the certainty they need to plan their budgets.

 

It will: 

 

Today’s funding boost comes on top of a near £1.5 billion each year to continue to fund additional pension costs for teachers.

 

The Chancellor Sajid Javid said: 

 

“We said our priorities were police, healthcare and education, and that’s what we are delivering at next week’s Spending Round. Because of the hard work of the British people to put our finances in order, we can now invest in their priorities.

 

“As I know from my own experience, nothing is more important to a child’s future than their education. That’s why we are putting in place the funding that helps them realise their potential, to the benefit of us all.”

 

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

 

“We owe it to the next generation to ensure our education system is world class, and that nothing stands in the way of our young people having the best choices in life, whatever course they take.

  

“This £14billion funding increase – the largest cash boost in a generation - means our schools can continue to raise standards and build an education system that boosts productivity, improves social mobility and equips children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the bright future that lies ahead. 

 

“In addition to this package, schools will receive £4.4billion over three years to cover rising pension costs and ensure they can focus their resources on the front line.”

  

Schools will also continue to benefit from government support to ensure they can make the most of every pound of their budgets, following the launch of the Department for Education’s School Resource Management Strategy last year. 

  

This ranges from a free-to-use vacancy service to recruit teachers, to expert advisers who provide tailored support to individual schools that need it. 

  

Since 2010, education standards in England have rocketed. Government reforms have seen more primary school children on track to become fluent readers, more 19-year-olds leaving education with English and Maths GCSEs, and almost one million school places created.  

 

Further information:

 

This settles the schools budget in cash terms at £47.6bn in 20/21, £49.8bn in 21/22 and £52.2bn in 22/23.

The Barnett formula will be applied in the normal way, with more details set out at the Spending Review next week.