William Eichler 08 January 2019

Education union blasts Whitehall for ‘broken’ funding promises

The UK’s largest education union has criticised the Government for ‘failing to match’ their promises on school funding.

The education secretary Damian Hinds and Theresa May promised that ‘every school’ would get a cash increase.

However, a new analysis by the National Education Union of the Schools Block funding allocations has revealed that a quarter of primary schools (25%) and one in six secondary schools (17%) have not received more money.

‘This is yet another failure and another broken promise by Government on school funding,’ said Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU.

‘The fact remains that schools were never going to manage on the money promised by Government.

‘However, head teachers, teachers, school staff and parents will be dismayed that even the meagre amounts of funds supposedly allocated to schools will not be received by everyone.

‘Parents and school staff simply cannot trust what the Government says on education funding.’

Mr Courtney added that schools and sixth form colleges have been ‘systematically underfunded’ with £2bn a year taken away since 2015.

‘This is not pin money. It cannot be retrieved by just good housekeeping,’ he said.

‘Up and down the country schools are increasing class sizes, reducing teachers and school staff, cutting subjects from the curriculum and leaving building repairs undone.’

A Department for Education spokesperson responded to the NEU’s analysis by highlighting the fact that schools receive funds from sources other than Whitehall.

They also said that councils have had more money for schools from the Government in order ‘to make funding fairer across the country.’

‘Government provides this money to local authorities and they have the freedom to work with schools to allocate their budgets in a way that best suits local needs,’ they said.

‘While there is more money going into our schools than ever before, we do recognise the budgeting challenges schools face and that we are asking them to do more.

‘That’s why we’re supporting schools and head teachers, and their local authorities, to make the most of every pound.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Surveyor

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £53076 per annum
Shape the future of our borough through high-quality property transactions and development advice.This role matters because your expertise helps the C England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Mobile Cleaning Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£25,620 - £25,989
Are you looking for a cleaning role that has full time hours, where you’ll be on the road Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Mobile Cleaner

North Yorkshire Council
£13.28 per hour
Are you looking for a varied cleaning role with no weekend work? Darlington, Durham
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

General Services Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£25,620 - £25,989
Join North Yorkshire Council’s operational team at one of our many multiuse venues Whitby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Graduate Trainee Housing

North Yorkshire Council
£25,989 - £29,064
Are you a recent graduate with a passion for housing, community development, and making a real difference? North Yorkshire / various / hybrid
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner