National Funding Formula: Schools/High Needs

Jason McCartney Excerpts

Wednesday 14th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Justine Greening]

I strongly agree with my hon. Friend. Up to now, school funding has been the ultimate postcode lottery, and funding has been overly determined by where children were growing up. That is completely unacceptable. If we are to make Britain, and in this case schools in England, a country with schools where all children can progress, we have to get on with fair funding.

[Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con)]

rose—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

The prize for patience—this shows what happens when you sit behind the Speaker’s Chair—goes to Jason McCartney.

[Jason McCartney]

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and merry Christmas to you.

How far will the inclusion of a sparsity factor go in protecting the small and rural schools that are so important to my local community?

[Justine Greening]

I think it will help. It will go together with a fixed lump sum, which is also part of this formula. Overall and on average, small rural schools will benefit from the formula.