Staffordshire MP demands fairer funding for pupils
'Fairer' funding for schools in Staffordshire is being sought by an MP who said more money is spent in neighbouring boroughs and counties.
Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy raised his campaign in the House of Commons during education questions yesterday.
He said: "My constituents see similar schools nearby in other authorities with much higher rates of funding. This is a matter of both transparency and fairness."
Education secretary Nicky Morgan replied: "I am aware that you and your colleagues in Staffordshire have long been campaigning for fairer school funding and have made a strong argument.
"We will continue to listen to you. I'm committed to making funding fairer as set out in our manifesto.
"These are complex issues that we have to get right so we will consult extensively with the sector, the public and members on all side of the House and set out proposals in due course."
Mr Lefroy said Staffordshire school children have been 'consistently funded well below the national average'.
He and South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson say overall funding for the county's pupils is significantly lower than in Wolverhampton and Stoke-on-Trent.