Unions warn of funding losses facing each school in England
Schools in England are set to lose hundreds of pounds per pupil, six education unions have said.
Between 2015-16 and 2019-20, schools face an average loss for each primary pupil of £339, and £477 for every secondary pupil, the analysis from unions NUT, ATL, NAHT, GMB, Unison and Unite shows.
These figures take into account the national funding formula but are worse than previously predicted by the unions; whereas before they predicted that 92 per cent of schools would be hit by cuts, they now put the figure at 98 per cent.
Kevin Courtney, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “Every single MP in England has reason to be worried about our latest analysis which shows how every constituency will be adversely affected by the Government’s recently-announced funding proposals.
“To avert this national scandal, Government must reassess its plans and make substantial new funding an urgent priority so that all schools have sufficient money to run an effective education system.”
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the heads' union the NAHT, said: “School budgets are being pushed beyond breaking point. The government's £3 billion real-terms cut to education funding must be reversed or we will see education and care suffer.
“Already heads are being forced to cut staff, cut the curriculum and cut specialist support.
“A new funding formula is the right thing to do, but it cannot be truly fair unless there is enough money to go round in the first place.”
Read moreLatest News
14/04/2026 - 10:11
New research suggests that eight out of 10 people (80%) back banning cars in streets around schools to encourage children to travel by healthier alternatives.
14/04/2026 - 09:47
The government is proposing that schools appoint a lead governor with designated responsibility for school food, as part of its reforms to school food standards.
13/04/2026 - 09:39
The government has set out plans to reform School Food Standards - the first time in over a decade - and is launching a nine-week consultation on the changes.
10/04/2026 - 11:16
The government is launching a new programme to support schools in areas of high knife crime and improve pupils’ safety on their way to and from school.
09/04/2026 - 10:27
A school food improvement programme is set to launch in Birmingham in 2026, working with schools to improve the quality and culture of food throughout the school day for children and young people across the city.
