Fairer funding for Surrey Schools

Surrey Liberal Democrats have warmly welcomed proposals which will see the county receive nearly £25 million more in school funding than under the current system. This comes as part of an extra £350million boost to schools in the least fairly funded areas in the country.

The proposals announced in Parliament by Liberal Democrat Education Minister David Laws will mean that funding will be allocated to local areas on the basis of the actual characteristics of their pupils and schools, rather than simply on the basis of historic levels of spending.

The proposed changes mean that, on average, schools in Surrey will receive £4,282 per pupil next year, an increase of around 4.5%.

Commenting on the announcement, Cllr Stella Lallement, the Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson on Surrey County council said: "This is fantastic news for Surrey children and is a much needed reform. The school funding system inherited by the Coalition was unfair. Labour knew it was unfair, but chose not to act.

"For too long, school funding has been based on historical data that no longer reflects pupils' needs. Similar schools just miles apart can be funded at very different levels, just because they happen to be in different local authority areas.

"This announcement, along with the Pupil Premium, will mean that our children can get the education they deserve. It is more evidence that the Liberal Democrats in government are actively implementing policies to build a fairer society."