Caroline Spelman today welcomed an announcement made by the Chancellor, George Osborne, in the Spending Review that the Government will commit to a finding fairer schools funding formula by 2017. The Chancellor further announced that education would be protected from cuts to guarantee the best possible opportunities for pupils.
Delivering his address to the House of Commons on Wednesday, George Osborne said:
“We will phase out the arbitrary and unfair school funding system that has systematically underfunded schools in whole swathes of the country and in its place, we will introduce a new national funding formula”.
Following the debate, Nicky Morgan assured MP’s that she will strive to find a transparent solution to resolve the inconsistencies in the current funding formula and has pledged to work with schools, local authorities and MP’s to find the best possible solution.
Reflecting upon the announcement by the Chancellor, Caroline commented:
“I applaud the decision made by the Chancellor to replace the current schools funding formula, further to a consultation by the Education Secretary Nicky Morgan”.
“Earlier this year I was pleased to be able to invite Nicky Morgan to visit Meriden constituency. During her visit she met with staff and pupils at The Grace Academy in Chelmsley Wood and attended an extraordinary meeting with the Solihull School Forum to discuss the problems the Borough faces because of the current Schools Funding Formula”.
“I have long campaigned for the fairer funding formula to be revised to improve funding in Solihull Borough, as the current formula places hundreds of students who are schooled in the region at a disadvantage”.
“Now, after many months of campaigning on this issue, I am pleased that the decision has been made to review the funding formula for UK schools and replace it with a fairer solution by 2017. I will continue to work hard during the consultation period to get the best possible school funding deal for Solihull Borough”.