Delight at Lib Dem pupil funding pledge

8.21.35pm GMT Sun 7th Feb 2010

Paul Scriven, Prospective Lib Dem MP for Sheffield Central, said he is 'delighted' at the news that pupils in Sheffield would receive a £30 million funding boost under a Liberal Democrat Government.

Lib Dem Party Leader Nick Clegg has set out the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment for a 'Pupil Premium', which would invest £30,391,096 of extra cash in Sheffield's schools, raising the funding for disadvantaged pupils up to the level of private schools.

The money will be invested through the Pupil Premium pledge, part of a £2.5bn manifesto spending commitment.

Paul Scriven said:

"Schools in Sheffield are working hard to drive up the educational achievements of this city's young people, and to narrow the gap with the national average after years of stagnation under Labour.

"This year both our GCSE results and age-11 SATs results show that we are improving rapidly, thanks to a huge drive to raise attainment by Lib Dems on the City Council. But we still have a long way to go, if we are to give young people the best start in life.

"Under these plans, Sheffield schools would get a further £30m which they could use to cut class sizes and provide more individual support to students."

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

"Under the current system it's no surprise there is such a gap in achievement between children from the poorest backgrounds and those families who are better off.

"Only when we get education funding back on track will be able to give all our children the fair start they deserve."