Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has challenged the Education Secretary on school funding changes that could hit schools across the North East.

Speaking during Education Questions in the Commons yesterday (4th July), Catherine asked Nicky Morgan whether the proposed new National Funding Formula would result in schools in the region losing out because of plans to introduce an ‘area cost adjustment multiplier’ to the funding formula, which would see schools in ‘higher cost areas’ receiving more monies from Government.

Catherine asked:

‘What would the Secretary of State say to SCHOOLS North East, which represents 1,000 schools in my region, and has said that: ‘the Government risks fuelling the North-South divide in education by proposing to fund schools with similar characteristics differently, based on their location’?

In response, the Education Secretary answered:

‘I would completely disagree with that assertion. I ask the hon. Lady to ensure that she and the schools in her area take part in the next stage of the consultation. She should not forget the funding that has already been allocated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor as part of the Northern Powerhouse fund for schools.’

Speaking afterwards, Catherine commented:

‘SCHOOLS North East have already made quite clear to the Government what the effect of these proposals would be for pupils across our region – and it’s incredibly frustrating that the Education Secretary appeared to dismiss these concerns out of hand.

 ‘The current average funding equates to £4,732 per pupil nationally, but can be as high as £8,595 for pupils in the City of London. Yet, in the North East that figure stands at just £4,616.

 ‘To propose widening that disadvantage even further is totally unacceptable, and particularly at a time when the North East is facing a teacher recruitment crisis.’