SOLIHULL MP SLAMS BOROUGH'S EDUCATION GRANT SETTLEMENT

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 27th Feb 2007

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has condemned the Government's education grant allocation to Solihull schools as unfair and renewed her calls for a review of the funding formula.

Figures released following education questions in Westminster revealed that Solihull was ranked 140 out of 148 education authorities when it came to the amount of money available to spend on each pupil.

Solihull schools received £3,556 per annum to spend on each pupil, below the West Midlands average of £3,800 and well below the amount for schools in Birmingham, who receive £4,270.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"Even amongst comparable authorities, Solihull seems to be getting a raw deal. We already get a poor grant from government for council services, and it seems Solihull children are also losing out because income is high in some parts of the borough, but this doesn't make it any cheaper to provide quality education across the board in Solihull schools."