EDM 976: Funding for schools in South Cambridgeshire

That this House notes with concern that fairer funding is needed for schools in South Cambridgeshire constituency, which have consistently received less schools block funding than the Cambridge region and the rest of England; further notes that there is a difference of over £400 per pupil in schools block funding between South Cambridgeshire and England in the 2024–25 period, as well as in previous years; recognises that schools across the country are facing a funding crisis due to spiralling inflation in their costs; further recognises that school and college funding per pupil should increase above the rate of inflation every year; also notes with concern that mainstream schools’ core funding is due to fall next year to its lowest level in over 15 years; notes that special schools in England have faced £419 million of cuts since 2010, with local authorities expecting to have a cumulative £5 billion SEND deficit by March 2026; highlights that there has been a 72.8% increase in the number of EHC plans in South Cambridgeshire from 2019 to 2024, compared to 62.7% across England, demonstrating the urgent need for fairer funding; and calls on the Government to provide fairer funding for schools in South Cambridgeshire, including significant investment in capital funding and high needs funding.