A huge error by the Government has left local schools in Surrey with millions of pounds less than promised.

Schools were initially told in July they would receive a 2.7% budget rise for the 2024/25 school year. However, in October it was revealed schools would only get a 1.9% rise – the difference is equal to roughly £50 per pupil. Across all the schools in Surrey this means a loss of around £7.6 million.

This blunder just highlights the staggering incompetence of this Conservative Government. Schools have spent 2 months expecting to receive significantly more funding than they will actually get next year. The Government has not even given them their correct funding figure yet. As a result, schools may have to redraw their budgets for the upcoming year.

It’s caused a lot of unnecessary work and stress for our already over-stretched schools and teachers. Indeed, across the country schools in England will receive £370 million less than promised. This could have paid for 9,000 more teachers.

Just a few weeks after the RAAC concrete scandal, the Conservatives have shown yet again that we cannot trust them to look after our schools.