Schools losing out - claim

9:44am Tuesday 27th February 2007

LIB Dem parliamentary candidate Richard Burt says the education grant to Worcestershire schools is unfair and the funding formula should be reviewed.

New figures show 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 pupil; per year, below the West Midlands average of £3,800 and well below Birmingham, at £4,270. Funding for Herefordshire 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."