THE borough's cabinet member for children and families has urged MPs to inject £2.3 billion into school funding to avoid a nationwide crisis.

Cheshire West and Chester Council member Nicole Meardon met with MPs in the House of Commons last week as part of the f40 campaign group, which represents the worst-funded education authorities in the country.

CWAC schools face an £11.8 million loss by 2020 compared to 2016, and figures show English education funding has seen real-terms cuts of 8 per cent.

Cllr Meardon said: "Cheshire West schools are struggling with day to day costs. Schools are facing increasing costs with limited funding.

"As other public services are also being impacted by austerity, schools are expected to do more and more for pupils.

"The funding issue is further exacerbated by the critical state of high needs funding used to support schools teaching children with special educational needs and disabilities. Current funding is inadequate to meet the demand.

"Our schools are having to make difficult choices but often the most vulnerable pupils are at risk. All children deserve the very best education possible so it is essential that the Government address the funding crisis urgently."

The f40 group argues that a minimum of £1.4 billion annual funding is needed to avert crisis, and members have urged MPs to rally the Chancellor to review the situation.

Joining Cllr Meardon was Crewe and Nantwich MP, Laura Smith – vice chair of f40 in Parliament.

Cllr Meardon added: "We need a funding system that works for all schools in Cheshire.

"Currently children in some parts of the country are worth less than children who live elsewhere. This is clearly not fair.

"Along with funding increases, we must see mechanisms for distributing funding change so that every child is valued and given every opportunity to flourish and schools can run effectively on the funds allocated."