REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean has welcomed changes to the schools funding formula in England, which is hoped will make it fairer and more transparent.

The new national funding formula will come into effect from April 2018, replacing the current, funding system that for years has seen Worcestershire schools near the bottom of the funding pile.

The MP said: “This is an historic reform. It means, for the first time, the resources that the Government is investing in our schools will be distributed according to a formula based on the individual needs of every school in the country.

“The national funding formula will not only direct resources where they are most needed, it will also provide funding through a transparent formula, clearly setting out the sums that are being directed to different components of the formula – to the basic amount per pupil, or to children with additional needs.”

Education Secretary Justine Greening’s announcement last week follows from her statement in July when she set out that the Government is to invest an additional £1.3 billion in schools in the next two years.

As a result, the core funding underpinning the national funding formulae will rise from almost £41 billion in 2017-18 to £42.4 billion in 2018-19 and £43.5 billion in 2019-20.

The fairer funding formula for schools gives an indicative additional £2 million across all Redditch schools, with no school seeing any budget reductions.

Mrs Maclean added: “I’m aware of concerns raised to me by parents, teachers and the local community where it’s felt that our local schools are often under more pressure, and are having to do more for some children with complex needs, against a backdrop where funding hasn’t always kept pace with the demand.

“So I’m pleased the Government has listened and acted. This will also give schools more certainty to plan for the future.

"Ensuring every child has a great start in life, through a first class education, will always be an important priority for me."