MPs Fight for Fair Funding for Stockport Schools

3.01.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th May 2005

Today Stockport's two Liberal Democrat MPs, Andrew Stunell and Patsy Calton, have spoken out to demand fair funding for Stockport school children.

In response to a Government Department for Education and Skills Consultation exercise, Mr Stunell and Mrs Calton are calling for new funding arrangements that end discrimination against the town's schools.

Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:

"It is completely unacceptable that Stockport pupils are funded almost £700 a year less than the national average. Stockport is among the 40 worst funded education authorities in the country."

Cheadle MP, Patsy Calton added:

"We are calling for fair funding for Stockport Schools. We hope that the Government will listen to the consultation and give our school children the facilities and funding they deserve. It is time to end the post code lottery of funding in education."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. A typical Stockport primary school with 200 children is allocated £140,000 less money per year than a similar school in neighbouring Manchester. To match funding and maintain standards the deficit is made up from Council Tax - one reason for the relatively high charge in the Stockport area.

2. The f40 Group represents some of the worst funded education authorities in England. Their contact details are:

Doug Allan, F40 Secretariat, c/o DTW, Bank Chambers, Market Place, Guisborough,

TS14 6BN, Tel: 01287 610 404, Fax: 01287 638 263