TATTON MP Esther McVey has welcomed the announcement by the Government of a £1.3 billion boost for core school funding.

In a statement to Parliament yesterday, education secretary Justine Greening said the extra investment would help deliver historic reforms to the funding system, balancing fairness and stability for schools.

The £1.3 billion will comprise £416 million in 2018-19 and £884 million in 2019-20, on top of the core school budget set in the last spending review.

Ms McVey said: “I made schools funding my top priority on entering the House, and was the first question I asked in the House.

“I met with the Secretary of State, the Chancellor and worked with local Cheshire MPs on this matter, as well as meeting with local Parents, teachers and governors, so I'm pleased the Government has listened and today prioritised school funding and provided an extra £1.3 billion for schools.”

Speaking in the Commons yesterday, she said: “I congratulate the Government for choosing to prioritise school funding which has been such a huge issue in Tatton and right across the country.

“All the MPs in Cheshire have come to you saying what we need for our local schools, so I welcome it.”

Justine Greening said: “Fairer schools funding – backed by today’s [Monday] additional investment – will deliver the biggest improvement to the school funding system for well over a decade.

“It will mean an increase in the basic amount every pupil will get, protected funding for those with high needs and will ensure every local authority is in a position to give schools a cash increase through the new formula.

“This means that, with teachers and schools across the country, we can continue to raise standards and give every child the best possible education, and the best opportunities for the future.”

A Department for Education spokesman said: “This funding boost has been found from within the Department for Education’s budget, rather than through increased taxes or more debt.

“This has required some difficult decisions, but reflects the Government’s continued belief that funding is most valuable in the hands of head teachers who have the freedom to use their professional judgement to spend money where it will have the greatest impact.”

Clare Daniel, headteacher at St Anne’s Fulshaw C of E Primary School in Wilmslow, said she would be interested to see the detail of the proposal once it emerged.

Alison Hooper, headteacher at Egerton Primary School in Knutsford said: “I welcome the announcement if it is going to mean an increase in funding in real terms.

“Our parents were particularly concerned because Cheshire East would be the worst funded local authority under the previous funding proposals.”