Norfolk’s schools set to receive a £17.5 million cut to spending power

New data released today shows that the Conservative Government has cut the annual growth in funding in cash terms from 8% in 2023/4 to 3.1% in 2024/5.  It means that funding per pupil in Norfolk will be cut by £163 in 2024/25 compared with 2023/24! Steff Aquarone and the North Norfolk Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to boost funding for local schools as they struggle to balance the books.

There are 399 schools in Norfolk; 326 of which will have less spending power in 2024/25 as a result of these funding cuts.

For Primary schools in Norfolk, there will be a £139 reduction in spending power per pupil over the next financial year, and in Secondary schools there will be a £221 fall in spending power per pupil.

North Norfolk’s Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Steff Aquarone, has warned that the fall in spending power will push already stretched school budgets to the brink, with a worse educational experience for pupils and worse outcomes.

The Lib Dems are calling for the Government to review school funding after the IFS has concluded that the purchasing power of school budgets in 2024 will still be about 4% lower than in 2010.

Steff Aquarone said:

“This Conservative government has failed Norfolk’s children. Parents in our community should not have to send their children to schools which have had their funding decimated by a Conservative government that has lost interest in providing high-quality education.

“Investing in education is investing in our future but this Conservative government has let school buildings crumble and overseen a severe shortage of teachers. Far from preparing the next generation for the future, Ministers have totally abandoned them.

“This is yet another example of ‘shrinkflation’ in government spending: failing to increase funding to keep pace with inflation, meaning an overall reduction in real terms.

“The Liberal Democrats know that investment in education boosts our children’s futures. The Treasury needs to urgently look at increasing school funding".