Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

School Funding: Stockport

14 October 2026 · 3 other contributors · 3,250 words

Opened by Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove

Responding minister: Georgia Gould

EducationEconomyTaxationChildren & FamiliesLocal Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Lisa Smart raised concerns about school funding: stockport in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Schools in Stockport receive 5,623 per pupil for primary education and 6,404 in Manchester.
  • Secondary schools in Stockport face a funding gap of 1,100 per pupil compared to Manchester.
  • Sixty-eight out of seventy-eight schools in Stockport are forecasted to operate at a deficit.

Key requests to Government

Smart asked the Minister to review the national funding formula to match funding to need, provide certainty regarding the deficits that build up in 2026-27 and 2027-28 before the override ends, and publish the new special educational needs funding model in good time. I urge the government to work closely with Stockport Council to improve the situation, as 18% is just not good enough. The Department should provide more support to councils to ensure they deliver their SEND reform plans effectively.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove

Lisa Smart highlighted that schools in Stockport are funded at disproportionately lower levels per pupil compared to Manchester, with primary schools receiving £5,623 per pupil versus £6,404 in Manchester. Secondary schools fare similarly with a funding gap of £1,100 per pupil. She noted that 68 out of 78 schools in Stockport are heading for a deficit, and school reserves have fallen from £11 million to around £5 million. The removal of the trust capacity fund, national insurance contributions, and a growing number of children with special educational needs exacerbate the situation. She expressed worry about the uncertainty surrounding the publication of the new special educational needs funding model and the additional deficits expected to accumulate between 2026-27 and 2027-28. I am concerned about the frustration parents in my constituency experience due to the local council's failure to meet assessment deadlines for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Only 18% of the necessary assessments are being met, which is unacceptable. Parents from low-income backgrounds often give up, while those from other backgrounds continue the fight, further exacerbating the issue of inequality.

Other contributors (3)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon commends the hon. Lady for securing the debate and shares concern about the underfunding of special educational needs in Northern Ireland, specifically questioning the accuracy of ADHD figures in the press.

  • Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport

    Navendu Mishra thanks the hon. Lady for the debate and highlights Stockport council's £2 million allocation in the inclusive mainstream fund and £2 million for the Experts at Hand programme, expressing frustration that only 18% of education, health and care plans meet the 20-week deadline compared to the English average of 50%. I appreciate the Minister's points about the capital investment but stress the importance of engagement with Stockport council to address the ongoing issues with assessment deadlines. I highlight the disparity in the persistence of parents based on their socio-economic status, with those from low-income backgrounds often giving up.

  • Tom Morrison

    Tom Morrison asks whether addressing the funding issue and making funding fairer would help the admissions system and give parents peace of mind in choosing the best school for their children.

Government Response

Georgia Gould

The Government has prioritised investment in education, with an extra £2.3 billion for schools in 2026-27, bringing the core schools budget to £67.6 billion. We are investing in crucial services around schools, such as Best Start in Life hubs, Experts at Hand, and Families First partnerships to address child poverty and reduce pressure on schools. We are also investing £4 billion in early intervention and £3.7 billion in capital investment for creating new specialist places. The Department is determined to hold councils accountable for their performance in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and is supporting local authorities to relieve 90% of their deficit. We have asked every local authority to develop a SEND reform plan and are monitoring the data quarterly. We are committed to working closely with Stockport MPs to discuss these challenges in detail.

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