Stephen Morgan MP has today spoken out against the Government following the release of new figures which show that in Portsmouth South, 81% of schools have less funding in real terms than in 2010 due to Government cuts.
New data released by the School Cuts coalition shows that government funding decisions have resulted in 70% of maintained schools in England facing real-terms cuts since 2010/11, with Portsmouth South sitting at 11% higher than the national average.
The figure equates to a change in per pupil funding of -£401 and a total change in school spending power of -£4,482,630 for all children the constituency.
Mr Morgan has said the new figures reveal the shocking extent to which the Government have deprioritised education and investing in children’s futures in Portsmouth and across the country.
The worst hit primary school is Ark Ayrton Primary Academy, facing a -£1,376 change in real terms per pupil funding, with a -£572,457 change in spending power.
The worst affected secondary school is Ark Charter Academy, facing a -£2,883 change in real terms per pupil funding, with a -£2,443,100 change in spending power.
The Portsmouth MP has heard first hand from teachers and parents across the city of the stark impact of persistent underfunding on children.
Students are dealing with large class sizes, less individual support, lack of resources, less experienced teachers, and, in some cases, no teacher at all. For teachers it means more real-terms pay cuts, more unmanageable workloads and less time to teach each child.
An incoming Labour Government has committed to raising school standards for all our children, ensuring every child has the core knowledge and skills they need as part of a broad curriculum, delivered by recruiting and training thousands more expert teachers.
Labour’s plans will be paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status and ending the tax breaks that private schools enjoy, to break down the barriers to opportunity to ensure every child can succeed and thrive.
Commenting on the new figures, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
”These shocking figures show the extent to which this Conservative Government has deprioritised education and investment in the futures of children in Portsmouth.
“I hear time and time again from teachers and parents in Portsmouth the real impact these cuts are having on children and hardworking school staff. The Government have simply given up on delivering the high and rising standards our children need to achieve and thrive.
“The last Labour Government treated education with the priority it deserves, and the next Labour Government will do the same, ensuring every child has the core knowledge and skills they need as part of a broad curriculum, delivered by recruiting and training thousands more expert teachers.”
Mr Morgan has made ensuring every child succeeds and thrives one of his priorities and investing in our city’s schools one of his top priorities, having previously served as Labour’s Shadow Minister for Schools. He has visited every school in his constituency and continues to campaign for funded breakfast clubs in every primary school, specialist mental health professionals and the recruitment of more world class teachers into Portsmouth schools.
