MP Helen Jones is urging the government to rethink its schools funding formula as Warrington schools face an eight per cent rise in costs.
She says the government has admitted many school costs will rise by eight per cent between 2015-16 and 2019-20.
Yet at the same time, schools face cuts in their budgets.
Answers to questions tabled in Parliament by the Warrington North MP about the impact of the new school funding formula on Warrington show that rate increases, the apprenticeship levy, increases in national insurance and pension contributions and salary increases will rise by
eight per cent.
She said: “The government is now expecting schools in Warrington North to meet these cost increases while facing cuts in their budgets.
“They cannot square the circle, and the government’s proposals will cause serious damage to our children’s education.
“The government calls for ‘efficiencies’.
“In reality, schools will have to lose staff and cut the number of subjects on offer if this proposal goes ahead. A failure to invest ineducation not only harms children, it damages the future of the country.
“This government needs to change course before that damage is done.’’
MP calls for re-think on school funding
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Well, that’s a moderate tone for Helen. Usually we read that she is ‘slamming’ local bureaucrats//government/enemy of the week, and that she is ‘angry’, ‘livid’, and even at times ‘outraged’ and all on our behalf. Yet on this occasion she is merely ‘urging’ the government to listen and rethink policy. I wonder whether criticism of her tone and style (well ‘in print’ anyway) has hit a nerve with her and her team? Has there been a dawning realisation that her book of political cliché’s in press releases has been done to death? And importantly, is this the beginning of a makeover for her? Time will tell I guess. We will just have to wait and see.