Dedicated Schools Grant

Thanked the hon. Member for initiating the debate and highlighted the importance of teaching children in the home as well as in school, emphasizing fair funding for schools. Thanked hon. Members for their speeches and highlighted the inequities in school funding faced by various constituencies.

Discussed the challenges faced by local authorities and schools due to under-investment in school infrastructure and the rising cost of special educational needs and disabilities provision, highlighting the increase in high needs funding.

She highlighted the disparity in funding between rural and urban schools in South Gloucestershire, using a primary school in her constituency as an example where children with special educational needs receive less support due to insufficient funding. Discussed funding for special educational needs and disabilities, mentioned South Gloucestershire's challenges and requested more support for vulnerable children. Explained how her diverse constituency suffers from not being rural enough and not being urban enough, highlighting the need for more support for young people.

Discussed the disparity in school funding between London boroughs and West Dorset, highlighting a £5,000 per pupil difference compared to Croydon's £10,000. Agreed with concerns about the fully funded pay increase based on school average, highlighting issues in rural areas.

Oxfordshire receives an area cost adjustment of just 2%, compared to 18% in London boroughs, impacting the education of children due to lack of funding.

Congratulates his hon. Friend on highlighting the inequity of the system that built up under the previous Conservative Government. Points out a 60% increase in placements between 2014-15 and 2023-24, indicating provision in Somerset is unacceptable. Called for the national funding formula to reflect current need, not historical need.

Highlights the fundamental injustice of the national funding formula that creates a postcode lottery, affecting hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren in lower-funded education authorities like Cambridgeshire. Spoke of the postcode lottery perpetuated by a systemically flawed funding formula.

Contextualised the crisis faced by constituents with inadequate transport infrastructure and unfit buildings.

Pointed out the £130 million deficit in West Sussex’s DSG and highlighted the lack of adequate SEND provision due to funding issues.

Teachers and teaching assistants in schools are facing job losses due to cuts from the last Conservative Government, despite extra funding received by schools.

Joined the call to review the national funding formula, despite differing from her party’s record.

Described Devon's underfunding compared to London, with per pupil funding £1,500 less than in inner London. Highlighted the disparity in high needs allocation for special educational needs. Asked about additional funding expected for urban councils such as Westminster in the national funding formula review. Equated the differential in funding to an entire teacher’s salary.

Stressed the importance of fairer funding for schools and SEND provision in Somerset, highlighted inequalities in high-needs block funding and shared stories of children suffering due to lack of support. Highlighted the mental health challenges faced by children and young people, calling for dedicated mental health professionals in every school. Highlighted the legacy inequity locked into the current system of school funding.

Refers to the pressure on early years settings from the national insurance hike, rising wages, and spiralling costs. Warns of an alarming pattern where those with children are not going to North Norfolk, risking a demographic doom spiral. Explained that families are having fewer children because they struggle to support even themselves.

One school in Torbay faces a £100,000 bill due to the national insurance hike, resulting in redundancies and exacerbating inequity for many schools.

Brought up concerns about low levels of funding for high-needs services in North Yorkshire and the impact on rural settings. Asked about the lack of maintenance funding for schools, particularly in areas with older buildings.