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Dedicated Schools Grant
06 May 2025
Lead MP
Cameron Thomas
Tewkesbury
LD
Responding Minister
Catherine McKinnell
Tags
NHSEducationEconomyTaxation
Word Count: 11814
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Cameron Thomas raised concerns about dedicated schools grant in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Calls for more equitable allocation of funding through the dedicated schools grant to support disadvantaged counties like Gloucestershire.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Schools in Gloucestershire and other low-funded councils are under pressure due to the inequitable Dedicated Schools Grant and rising costs of special educational needs provision. Consecutive Governments have failed children by inadequately resourcing education, leading to a mental health crisis and an explosion in demand for special educational needs and disabilities provision.
Cameron Thomas
Lab
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.
Newcastle upon Tyne North
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.
Claire Young
Con
Thornbury and Yate
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.
West Dorset
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.
Henley and Thame
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.
Gideon Amos
Con
Taunton and Wellington
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.
Ian Sollom
LD
St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
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.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Contextualised the crisis faced by constituents with inadequate transport infrastructure and unfit buildings.
John Milne
LD
Horsham
Pointed out the £130 million deficit in West Sussex’s DSG and highlighted the lack of adequate SEND provision due to funding issues.
Esher and Walton
Teachers and teaching assistants in schools are facing job losses due to cuts from the last Conservative Government, despite extra funding received by schools.
Rebecca Paul
Lab
Reigate
Joined the call to review the national funding formula, despite differing from her party’s record.
Richard Foord
Con
Honiton and Sidmouth
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.
Sarah Dyke
Con
Glastonbury and Somerton
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.
Steff Aquarone
Con
North Norfolk
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.
Torbay
One school in Torbay faces a £100,000 bill due to the national insurance hike, resulting in redundancies and exacerbating inequity for many schools.
Tom Gordon
LD
Harrogate and Knaresborough
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.
Government Response
Catherine McKinnell
The Minister for School Standards
Government Response
Acknowledged the challenges and committed to reviewing the national funding formula for 2026-27, prioritising certainty and minimising disruption. Emphasised that pupils needing additional investment attract more funding through the formula. Provided details on allocation of funds for deprivation factors and additional needs. Outlined the Government's commitment to increasing high needs funding, addressing deficits through reforms, and supporting local authorities to deliver high-quality services in a financially sustainable way. Emphasised ongoing work on mental health support within schools as part of wider challenges.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.