Commenting on the Institute for Fiscal Studies’ Annual Report on
Education Spending in England: 2023, Daniel Kebede,
General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“This is a damning indictment of the Government’s failure to
invest in education since 2010.
“While the Prime Minister speaks regularly of wanting to create a
world class education system, the policies of his Government are
resulting in the exact opposite. There is no end in sight for the
perilous funding situation in our schools, sixth form colleges
and early years education. This is having a serious impact on the
education of children and young people and, as the IFS report
shows, on those who are the most disadvantaged.
“School costs have grown faster than inflation over the period,
and education spending has fallen sharply as a percentage of GDP.
The National Funding Formula and Minimum Per Pupil levels have
siphoned money away from the areas in greatest need meaning the
poorest bear the greatest burden.
“Persistent underfunding has led to deep and lasting effects on
the education sector. Class sizes are at record levels - primary
class sizes are the highest in Europe and secondary class sizes
are the highest since records began more than 40 years ago. All
children deserve to be taught in classes of fewer than 30 led by
a qualified teacher, but this is simply not being addressed. Nor
is the recruitment and retention crisis, when the government
cannot even meet its own targets in teacher training. No wonder
teachers are leaving the profession in high numbers.
“2024-25 promises more of the same. Core school funding will rise
by only 1.9% on average. This is well short of expected increases
in school costs and below Office for Budget Responsibility
forecasts for inflation. The NEU estimates that 92% of schools
will be unable to cope with cost increases in 2024-25 without
making cuts to education provision. This means 99% of secondary
schools and 91% of primary schools will need to make cuts to
survive.
“The Chancellor made no effort to address any of this in his
recent Autumn Statement. Heads cannot hope to keep pace with
rising costs and are being left to muddle through once more. It
is clear that an increase in school funding of £1.7bn in 2024-25
is needed in order to protect provision in schools and colleges,
and to finally address the recruitment and retention crisis. But
this will only be a sticking plaster for the deeper problems
created on this Government’s watch.”
