MPs to debate increasing school funding

The petition, which has more than 103,000 signatures, states: “Schools are having to make difficult choices on how to spend their limited funding as their income has not kept pace with the rise in costs since 2010. All schools are working very hard to “make ends meet” but this is becoming increasingly difficult and verging on almost impossible.”

The petitioner adds that as funding has become “tighter”, schools have had to cut down on: “Teaching and non-teaching staff, support for more vulnerable pupils, small group work for children who are not thriving in school, teaching resources (parents being asked to pay for books and materials), subject choices in secondary schools, range of activities for primary pupils, extra curricula activities provided free or subsidised, repairs to buildings and renewal of equipment.”

More than 275 students and teachers have told the Committee how current funding effects them and their school. Please see attached engagement survey.

In response to the petition, the Government said: “We recognise schools are facing budgeting challenges and we are asking them to do more. We have increased funding by an extra £1.3bn across this year and next, over and above previous spending plans.”

Monday’s debate will provide an opportunity for MPs to question a Government Minister directly on this topic.

Petition details

Increase funding for schools – view on petition map

Where in the country was this petition signed?

The top 10 parliamentary constituencies that supported the petition are as follows (as at 27 February 2018):