Sheffield MPs jointly call on education secretary to help avert funding crisis in the city's schools

Sheffield's Labour MPs have written to the education secretary calling on him to provide fair funding to city schools to avert a 'crisis'.
Paul Blomfield, Sheffield Central MPPaul Blomfield, Sheffield Central MP
Paul Blomfield, Sheffield Central MP

Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield, Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Angela Smith, Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh, Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts and Brightside and Hillsborough MP Gill Furniss wrote the letter to Damian Hinds MP after is emerged that education leaders are considering mass redundancies, shortening the school week and increasing class sizes.

They have expressed their concerns about the implementation of the national funding formula, aimed at redistributing funding to historically underfunded areas, and urge Mr Hinds to implement Sheffield's allocation straight away.

Gill Furniss, MP for Sheffield Brightside and HillsboroughGill Furniss, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Gill Furniss, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
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In the letter the MPs said the next few years, before the formula is fully implemented, are 'critical for our schools' financial position''.

The letter states: "This delay in funding allocation is severely affecting Sheffield schools who have received year-on-year flat cash settlements since 2010, which have not kept pace with increased costs. We estimate in Sheffield that this equates to at least £30m.

"Whilst other schools across the country have faced similar restrictions, Sheffield's historical low base of funding means our schools are worse affected.

Angela Smith, MP for Penistone and StocksbridgeAngela Smith, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge
Angela Smith, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge

"The increase in funding in future years will not make up for the funding that has been lost over the years."

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This year, 2018/19 school will receive only £8.3m of the £20m block funding and £14.79m in 2020/21.

In addition, schools should receive a share of £60.46m for high needs funding if the NFF was introduced in full in 2018/19, but the delay means that it is missing out on £6.73m next year and £5.2m the following year.

Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South EastClive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East
Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East

The letter adds: "In summary, our concern is about the pace of implementation of the formula locally.

"Given the financial context and historically low allocation, Sheffield schools are facing financial pressures they fear will mean severe cuts.

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"We trust you can see that the current pace of change is seriously disadvantageous for Sheffield schools.

Louise Haigh, Sheffield Heeley MPLouise Haigh, Sheffield Heeley MP
Louise Haigh, Sheffield Heeley MP

"Considering the above, we would like your help to implement Sheffield’s national funding formula allocations without delay and confirm our allocation for 2020/2021, as opposed to transitioning towards it; thereby providing the full £20m additional schools block funding and an additional £6.73m for the high needs block."

The Star and Sheffield Telegraph has launched a petition calling on the Government to fair fund Sheffield schools.

More than 7,000 people have already signed. To add your signature click here.