Government Slashes £1.3m from Bedford Borough Schools

Schools across Bedford Borough are facing a combined cut of £1.3m as their budgets are slashed by the Conservative Government. The amount allocated to Bedford Borough for each child in school is being cut, leaving the whole area with over a million pounds less to fund our schools in 2019/20.

News of the cut comes despite promises of a new national funding formula putting right the massive underfunding of local schools. The reduction will see schools receive £1,000 less per primary school class and £1,600 less per secondary school class than they would if per pupil funding was retained at current levels.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said "This is a disgrace, and local children are quite frankly being sorely let down by the Government. Bedford Borough's schools have been underfunded for years.

"Despite promises of fairer funding and a more positive outlook, the Government have now announced further cuts to our schools' budgets despite rising costs. This is the last thing that local school children and their hard working teachers deserve, yet they are the ones who will feel the effects of these cuts.

"We must take the fight to the Government to get this cut reversed."

Mayor Dave Hodgson and local Liberal Democrats are launching a campaign against the funding cuts being imposed by the Conservative Government, and concerned residents can sign the campaign petition at www.bedfordlibdems.org.uk/stopschoolcuts

Bedford Borough Council Education Portfolio Holder, Liberal Democrat Cllr Henry Vann added: "This is an extremely damaging cut. Our local schools have £1.3 million less than if the funding per pupil had just been frozen, despite additional costs faced by schools. We're asking people to speak out in support of our schools and help persuade the Government to change its mind on this appalling cut. Please sign our petition to support this campaign."