Johnson boosts schools with £14 billion package

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the government will invest over £14 billion in primary and secondary education between now and 2022/23.

The new funding delivers on pledge to level up per pupil funding across the country and includes £700 million for children with special educational needs, seeing the government deliver on Johnson’s pledge when entering Downing Street to increase school funding by £4.6 billion above inflation.

The funding package for 5-16 schools includes £2.6 billion for 2020/21, £4.8 billion for 21/22, and £7.1 billion for 22/23 compared to 19/20. This will bring the schools budget to £52.2 billion in 22/23. As such, every secondary school will receive a minimum of £5,000 per pupil next year, with every primary school getting a minimum of £4,000 from 2021/22.

Ahead of the Spending Round, the Department for Education says that the funding will ensure that per-pupil funding for all schools can rise at least in line with inflation, as well as progressing the implementation of our National Funding Formula, delivering promised gains in full for areas which have been historically under-funded.

Johnson said: “When I became Prime Minister at the start of the summer, I promised to make sure every child receives a superb education - regardless of which school they attend, or where they grew up. I can announce the first step in delivering on that pledge – funding per pupil in primary and secondary schools will increase, and be levelled up across the entire country.

“We should not accept the idea that there can be “winners or losers” when it comes to our children’s futures. That’s why we are providing additional funding now and for the future for every school, with those historically underfunded receiving the greatest increase. My government will ensure all young people get the best possible start in life. That means the right funding, but also giving schools the powers they need to deal with bad behaviour and bullying so pupils continue to learn effectively.”