Tony Lloyd urges end to schools budget cuts

Tony Lloyd, Rochdale's MP has clashed with the government over its controversial funding formula

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Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd has clashed with the government over its controversial schools funding formula.

His intervention comes as the Education Secretary unveiled a major shake-up to school budgets, bowing to pressure from campaigners over shortages in school budgets across the borough.

Mr Lloyd welcomed the government’s U-turn citing the “extraordinary cost pressures” faced by many schools across Rochdale, but demanded clarity that "none will be forced to cut teachers or teaching assistants" over the two years.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Greening claimed the cash would enable headteachers to “take the decisions” that they think are in the best interests of their schools.

Schools have been promised £1.3bn to help transition to the new funding formula arrangement, with the cash pledge set to come from efficiencies in the education department.

Unions predicted there could be 420 less teachers as a result of the swingeing cuts and a £495 drop in funding per pupil across the borough.

The government expects the new formula, set to be in place for 2019, to address unfair and inconsistent levels of funding.