Funding for Essex schools was the subject of a major meeting of the county’s MPs in Westminster this week. The vast majority of schools in Essex are ranked “Good” or “Outstanding” but many of them are facing increased funding challenges. Chelmsford’s MP, Vicky Ford led a delegation of eight Essex MPs to a meeting with the Schools Minister, Nick Gibb MP, to press the case for fairer funding for our schools.
During the meeting the MPs raised the need for increases to the education budget. They also outlined the need for greater support for pupils and students with special educational needs as the numbers in Essex have increased considerably in recent years. They discussed in detail the funding levels for the 16 plus age group, for schools in areas where there is high housing growth and for those in more remote rural areas. The MPs also explained that there needed to be greater transparency in how school funding is allocated and how it is spent.
Vicky explained, “After the financial crash, the Government ring-fenced and protected many elements of school funding but a decade later other costs and pressures have increased. This means the balance needs to be re-set. The upcoming Spending Review gives a unique opportunity to do that. My colleagues and I will continue to campaign for our schools as the Spending Review progresses.”
At the meeting with Vicky Ford MP were Kemi Badenoch MP for Saffron Walden, Alex Burghart MP for Brentwood and Ongar , James Duddridge MP for Rochford and Southend East ,Bernard Jenkin MP for Harwich and North Essex, Stephen Metcalfe MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Priti Patel MP for Witham and Giles Watling MP for Clacton.
