One in two areas in the North West will see school spending per pupil fall this year in real terms, analysis of government figures by the Liberal Democrats has found.
- 11 of 23 local authorities in the North West will see per pupil funding fall in real terms (i.e. once inflation is taken into account) during 2017-18.
- Local authorities hardest hit by the cuts include Blackpool (losing £93 per pupil), Salford (£84 per pupil) and Bolton (£78 per pupil)
- Stockport will see a real-terms cut of £18 per pupil.
Layla Moran MP, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, commented:
“Conservative school cuts are putting the futures of young people across the North West at risk.
“After the election the government promised to protect per pupil funding, but these figures show many areas are still set to lose out in real terms.
“We need an education system that broadens young people’s horizons and equips them with the skills they need to be part of the workforce of the future. This is something our government should be proud to invest in.
“Instead we are seeing school spending slashed, resulting in a narrowing curriculum and in dedicated, hardworking teachers being forced out of the profession they love.
“Ministers must urgently reverse these damaging cuts and invest to protect school budgets in real-terms.”
