MORE than 200 schools in Worcestershire are set to be hit with a spending cut as a result of funding cuts by the UK government.

Data provided by the National Education Union (NEU) revealed Worcestershire schools would receive a £14 million cut to spending power.

It would mean that funding per pupil in Worcestershire will be cut by £168 in 2024/25 compared with 2023/24.

For primary schools, there will be a £164 reduction in spending power per pupil over the next financial year, while secondary schools will face a £243 fall in spending power per pupil.

Worcester's Liberal Democrats warned the cutback will push already stretched school budgets to the brink, and result in a worse educational experience for pupils and worse outcomes.

MP for Worcester Robin Walker, however, claims the data that had been released was "profoundly wrong".

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Worcester Mel Allcott, who is the party's prospective parliamentary candidate, said: "This Conservative government has failed Worcester'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.

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

In his response to the spending cut, Mr Walker said: "This information is profoundly wrong," he said.

"Schools are actually getting an increase in funding that is well over the rate of inflation.

"They have their sums wrong. The funding is at its highest level ever so it is a complete miscalculation and doesn't represent the truth."

Mr Walker said the figure for the total increase in school funding last year was actually 8.8 per cent, adding: "The idea that that is in someway a real terms cut I'm afraid is for the birds.

"£15 million across Worcestershire schools are from an 8.8% increase in the funding and that is way over the rate of inflation."