Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Member of Parliament for The Cotswolds, today warmly welcomed the Government’s decision to provide an additional £1.35 million to the education budget in Gloucestershire.

Sir Geoffrey has led the campaign to boost funding for local schools in the Cotswolds for a number of years and personally met with the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, to lobby for this much-needed capital increase.

As a result of the Government’s decision, Gloucestershire County Council has cancelled plans which would have meant a reduction in school budgets and instead means the pledge under the new national funding formula to increase per pupil funding to £4,800 can now be achieved.

Furthermore, the additional £1.35 million ensures that children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will receive the increase to their own budgets that they deserve.

Commenting on the extra funding, Sir Geoffrey said:

“This early Christmas present will allow schools to plan for next year increased resources. I have campaigned for fairer funding for Gloucestershire’s schools for a number of years and I am pleased that my constituency’s head teachers’ concerns have been taken on board by the Government.

“I am proud that this Government has invested a record amount in our schools system –rising to £43.5 billion in 2019-20 thereby protecting funding in real terms per pupil. Parents and governors can face the new year knowing that schools will be properly funded for their children.”