LIBDEM CANDIDATE SLAMS GOVERNMENT GRANT FOR WORCESTERSHIRE SCHOOLS

4.17.42pm GMT Mon 26th Feb 2007

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt has condemned the Government's education grant allocation to Worcestershire schools as unfair and called for a review of the funding formula.

Figures released following recent education questions in Westminster revealed that Worcestershire was ranked 142 out of 148 education authorities when it came to the amount of money available to spend on each pupil.

Worcestershire schools received £3,552 per annum to spend on each pupil, below the West Midlands average of £3,800 and well below the amount for schools in Birmingham, who receive £4,270. Funding for Herefordshire schools is even lower, ranked 147 out of 148 Local Education Authorities

Richard Burt said:

"Amongst comparable shire counties, Worcestershire and the Marches seem to be getting a raw deal. We already receive a poor grant settlement from government for council services, and it seems Worcestershire children are also losing out, even though there are many add-on costs associated with schooling in rural areas."