£850k loss to school budget

Schools and colleges across Worcestershire are facing one of their greatest challenges to balance the books after an £850,000 cut in funding.

The Government plans to cut funding to 22 sixth forms and colleges in Worcestershire by 3.7 per cent – the equivalent of losing a total of £850,000.

The cuts follow budget changes by the Learning and Skills Council which has already caused chaos to building and development programmes of many further education colleges through cutbacks.

Now Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has written to John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and to Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, to complain.

In his letters he points out that Worcester County Council has always been one of the most under-funded local authorities in the country for education.

He said news of the difficulties with the budget was a serious blow.

Mr Luff said: "I just do not see how schools are expected to cope with these sudden, unexpected and unplanned budget cuts. I understand the pressures on public expenditure but to be cutting spending on a crucial education period makes absolutely no sense whatsoever."