Record funding for Lambeth schools

Record investment for Lambeth Schools

Children in Lambeth will benefit from record funding levels for local schools, the Government has announced. The school funding settlement for the next two years has been revealed by Schools Minister Jacqui Smith showing that every child in Lambeth will have at least £5,596 spent on their education in 2007/06 – up from £5,208 in 2006/07. The 7.5% increase means that Lambeth has received the 7th highest funding increase out of London’s 30 local authorities.

Record funding levels for schools and important changes to the funding system will provide the financial foundation for key education reforms, helping schools to deliver more practical learning options, catch up classes and stretch for gifted and talented pupils.

Labour investment from central Government sits in stark contrast to the neglectful attitude towards Education by Lambeth’s Liberal Democrat controlled council. They recently blocked £25 million of Government money to build a new secondary school in the centre of Lambeth because they said it was “too expensive” to buy derelict land near Brixton Hill to build the school on. The cost of the land would have been just a fraction of the £27 million the Lib Dems spent just months earlier buying a luxury riverside office block.

Cllr Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Labour Group said:

"This government investment shows that education is a top priority for Labour. If Labour ran Lambeth Council we would work with central Government to secure even more investment in our children’s future.

“Sadly, the Liberals have said no to the offer of a desperately-needed new secondary school, apparently for no other reason than that they don’t want to be seen working with the Government.”

Schools Minister Jacqui Smith said:

"This settlement demonstrates the continuing high priority the government gives to schools. Between 1997-98 and 2007-08, the end of the current Spending Review period, total revenue funding per pupil will have increased nationally by over £1,400 in real terms, an increase of nearly 50%."

Share you views on this and other local issues in the Lambeth Forum and be kept informed about local issues by emailing subscribe@lambethlabour.com.

To let us know your view on this issue, get help from your local councillor, or discover how you can help Labour in Lambeth, please complete the form below.