The Secretary of State for Education, The Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP, has confirmed that he is committed to addressing the ‘unfairness’ that exists in the allotment of school funding.
He made the statement in response to a letter from Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, who wrote to the Secretary of State about the need to reform the existing system.
In South Staffordshire, the average overall spending per pupil is £5,129, £930 less than in the neighbouring authority of Wolverhampton. Staffordshire is ranked 140 out of 151 education authorities in England.
Mr Gove wrote: “I am very grateful for the continued support and dedication that you and colleagues have shown over the years and your tireless campaigning on behalf of constituents.
“I am please that both the Minister of State for Schools, the Rt Hon David Laws MP, and I are able to have frequent meetings with the f40 group. As the Minister of State confirmed at his most recent meeting with the f40 on 29 October, we are currently developing our proposals for a new national fair funding formula. We hope to consult on these proposals by the end of the year.”
Speaking of this statement, Gavin said: “I am delighted that this issue is finally being addressed. For too long, rural constituencies like South Staffordshire have been getting unfair deal on school funding and I am relieved to hear that this matter is on its way to being resolved.”