“For over 40 years, Staffordshire schools have had a raw deal on funding getting less per pupil than most other areas” says Michael Fabricant. “We have always been in the bottom 20 areas because historically, in the 1960s and before then, Staffordshire just spent less on our schools.

“But for the first time, the Government is planning to address this problem. Yet some figures being bandied around suggest that the new funding formula might make Staffordshire still worse off

“I have tackled the Education Secretary on this, but Justine Greening tells me those figures are speculative and do not reflect the Government’s proposed fairer funding formula for schools.

“The Government has outlined and sought views on the funding system and the principles by which it will design the formula.

“The Department for Education recently set out proposals for how the formula will be implemented, including the impact on schools and local authorities and is seeking the views of interested parties. It also confirmed the factors that will be used in the formula, and invited responses to the weightings that should be given.

“Submissions for the current, ‘Stage 2’, consultation can be made via the following link: https://consult.education.gov.uk/funding-policy-unit/schools-national-funding-formula2/

“I urge everyone to contribute to this consultation as I have done. I have made it clear that Staffordshire has consistently been in the bottom 20 of worst funded areas for the last 40 years and that, at the very least, we should be getting the median or average funding. It is important that headteachers, school governors, and parents all contribute to this consultation. The consultation closes on the 22nd March.

“In the meantime, existing school budgets will be maintained, or increased, and this year will total over £40 billion – the highest ever on record. The Government’s fairer funding proposals are about ensuring that areas with the highest need attract the most funding, so that we can end the historic unfairness in the system.”