This must be the first Consultation ever where we in Northumberland have done better than before the Consultation: after the representations made by headteachers and governors we will now receive a 7.2% increase in April 2015 - I raised this in the House on Monday:
Guy Opperman (Hexham, Conservative)
A school funding revolution is taking place in Northumberland as the fairer funding consultation will lead to an increase in April 2015 of up to 7.2%. That is also a revolution for our governors, who, under the previous Government, were often consulted but always ignored. Will the Minister take this forward and ensure that we have fairer funding for all?
David Laws (The Minister for Schools; Yeovil, Liberal Democrat)
As my hon. Friend ingenuously points out, the funding reforms we are making will certainly help governors and teachers in schools. As a result of his campaigning and that of many other hon. Members we are introducing the fairer funding system next year. When we consulted on this, Northumberland was initially going to benefit to the tune of £10.6 million. I can say that the final settlement is that Northumberland will receive £12 million more to ensure that it is funded fairly in the future.
