The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove)
I am today announcing the final arrangements for funding schools from 2013-14. This provides a vital step towards a national funding formula, which will create a funding system that is fair, logical and distributes extra funding towards pupils who need it the most.
We inherited a situation where there was inequality in the funding of schools, with similar schools or pupils in different locations attracting different levels of funding. I am determined to end this inequality and to create a fair and transparent system of funding for schools.
In March, I announced my intention to introduce a new national funding formula for schools during the next spending review period. This will ensure that similar pupils, no matter where they go to school in the country, attract similar levels of funding. To pave the way for this broader reform, I set out my intention to simplify the local funding arrangements for 2013-14 and consulted on some of those arrangements. I also announced a new approach to high needs funding that will help to improve transparency, quality and choice for young people and their families.
Following that consultation, I am today publishing a document—“School Funding Reform: Arrangements for 2013-14”—which confirms my final decisions. Copies of this document will be placed in the House Libraries. These new arrangements will move us towards a funding system which promotes choice and raises quality.
The announcement today provides the detail necessary to enable school budgets to be determined on a clearer and more transparent basis. It is a significant part in our continuing reform of the way schools are funded and will help us achieve our objective of raising the aspirations and attainment of all pupils.