Responding to the government’s spending review announcement, Natalie Perera, Chief Executive of the Education Policy Institute, said:
“Today’s announcement signals a significant cash increase in school funding. However, given that the overall budget is rising by £4.7bn in cash terms only by 2028-29, once inflation is considered, this increase leaves less flexibility for schools than they might have hoped.
“Although we will see some savings over the next three years as a result of falling pupil numbers, much of this funding has already been earmarked for existing commitments – such as the recent announcements of the teacher pay award, and the extended entitlement to free school meals. Moreover, the distribution of funds remains uncertain. With the current formula tied closely to pupil numbers, many schools in areas of falling pupil numbers may still see falls in overall budgets. The government must consider how funding is targeted, ensuring it reaches the schools and pupils who need it most.
“The most pressing challenge is the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision and today’s settlement doesn’t appear to leave adequate funding to deliver the much-needed reforms in this area. Reforming SEND provision will require investing in highly trained support staff, adapted learning environments, and consistent, high-quality training for teachers across all schools.
“The government has made the right decision to increase funding for post-16 providers to meet the growth in student numbers, and to focus on areas where economic growth is most needed. However, it is disappointing that there has not also been a commitment to provide new and targeted funding for disadvantaged 16–19-year-olds.
“It is also challenging to consider the impact of education funding, without clear commitments to also address child poverty. The Government must prioritise publishing a child poverty strategy and this should include funded commitments, including removing the two-child benefit cap, that will genuinely lift children out of poverty.”
