Tory MPs rebel over cash for rural schools

SENIOR Tories today go public with their anger over the Government’s education funding reforms as party whips struggle to contain a growing rebellion.

A string of influential Conservatives have told this newspaper that not enough has been done to boost support for rural schools in the spending shake-up.

Tory whips have been working behind the scenes all this week in an attempt to win over critics and end the dispute.

However, MPs are ready to rebel unless changes are made to give “historically under-funded” schools more money through the reforms.

The Government’s national funding formula determines how spending is divided up for schools across the country.

Last month, a new formula was announced that would see cities such as London, Manchester and Liverpool get less money and the suburbs and shires get more.

However, Tory MPs are unhappy that the changes have not gone far enough, claiming rural schools that have long been under-funded are still losing out.

Separately, ministers are also under pressure from inner-city schools that say they are also losing funding under the new formula.

Graham Brady, the chairman of the powerful 1922 committee, said: “It is clear that the draft published by the Department for Education does not rectify the long-standing unfairness of education funding.”

Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, said of the proposals: “It is quite a serious thing to say you are going to rebel but I have made it clear that unless they are changed, in their current form I cannot support them.”

She added: “I can’t over emphasise how angry my headteachers are. They are really up in arms.

When Education Secretary Justine Greening unveiled the formula last month, she said it would give a cash boost to rural schools and redress historic inequalities that favoured London children. However, figures show that many schools in Tory heartlands are set to lose out.