Figures compiled by the BBC show that in Kirklees there has been a real terms funding reduction of £54 less per pupil in 2016/17 than 2015/16, whilst the teaching unions have forecast that this will amount to cuts of £534 per pupil by 2020 in the Dewsbury constituency alone.

The Government is imposing real terms funding cuts on schools by freezing per-pupil funding while inflation and the cost of employer pension and national insurance contributions increase. Figures from the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers & Lecturers, using government statistics, reveal that every single constituency in England will be adversely affected by the government’s latest funding proposals.

Commenting, Paula Sherriff MP said:

‘Against the backdrop of a national crisis in teacher recruitment and retention, funding cuts are impacting on pupils in my area. I’ve already met with two local schools that are really struggling to balance the books.

Schools are feeling the strain of 7 years of Tory led government. I will be fighting hard against further funding shortfalls which will see ever greater pressure on our school staff and class sizes.’

Notes:

NUT/ATL figures

Real terms education spending 2016/2017 (BBC website)