School leaders respond to Budget

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: "It is bitterly disappointing that the Chancellor has squandered the opportunity to support schools in today’s budget.

"We are in the middle of one of the most serious recruitment and retention crises we have seen for decades, and we have a school estate that is literally crumbling in places. Rather than addressing those obvious and pressing priorities, the government has chosen to focus on what appears to be a half-baked scheme to extend wraparound care in schools that won’t take effect for another three years.

"Once again, we are left with the feeling that this government is detached from the reality of what is actually going on in our schools."