Dismay as Haringey school funding gap continues to widen

2.13.51pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 23rd Nov 2007

Haringey's schools and pupils have been dealt yet another blow after news that school funding in the next financial year is set to increase less than neighbouring boroughs and widen the inequality of school funding in London. Figures released this week by the Government show that Haringey schools will receive £881.75 less per pupil than inner London boroughs in 2008/09, an increase in £47.90 from last year.

Lib Dems have been fighting hard to end the disparity between London boroughs, like Haringey, who still face the financial strains of their inner London counterparts but without the financial reward. Lynne Featherstone MP lobbied Gordon Brown at Prime Minister's Question Time on 10 th October 2007 forcing him to admit that the issue needed 'looking in to'. Lib Dems are increasingly concerned that the new school funding settlement fails to address the situation of fair funding and only serves to widen the gap further.

Cllr Gail Engert, Lib Dem Children, Schools and Families spokesperson adds:

"Haringey's schools have the same financial commitments and educational needs as schools classed as inner London. Lib Dems are dismayed that no action has been taken to provide equal funding, not just for Haringey's pupils but for all outer London schools that are in the same situation. We will continue to fight for a fair deal."

Lynne Featherstone, MP from Hornsey and Wood Green, comments:

"Gordon Brown acknowledged that there was a problem in the disparity of school funding but now, Ed Balls, his right hand man has only sought to make it worse. This situation is appalling. A Labour government should be taking action to reduce inequality in education funding but instead they have widened the gap further."

Notes:

Previous releases on fair funding - http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/news1921-haringey-schools.htm http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/news1946-haringey-school-funding.htm

Link to Hansard showing Lynne Featherstone's question to and answer from the Prime Minister at Question Time on 10 th October 2007 (Question 8) - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm071010/debtext/71010-0003.htm#07101031000152

Lynne Featherstone MP has requested a face-to-face meeting with the Secretary of State for Children, School's and Families', Ed Balls MP, to discuss the ongoing fair funding issue.