THE new Minister for Schools has pledged to talk about giving cash-strapped Worcestershire schools more cash.

Jacqui Smith - Redditch MP and Schools Minister after the Government reshuffle - sent a letter to county schools last month in which she promised a meeting would take place to discuss a new funding formula.

"I have gained assurances from the Education Secretary, Ruth Kelly, that, if Labour is re-elected, ministers will meet with the F40 group (representatives of the 40 worst-funded LEAs) in May and will take their representations into consideration," it said.

The letter was sent to stop headteachers supporting a fair funding petition which, she claimed, represented 'an unbalanced attack on the Labour government' before an election.

However, Ms Smith, who grew up in Malvern, has now been thrust into the centre of the debate and has three weeks to fulfil her pre-election pledge.

"She made a promise and if we need to do a gentle bit of prodding to remind her, at least the Schools Minister is on our doorstep," said Jonathan Pearsall, a leading campaigner with the F40 group .

"This appointment should be good news for Worcestershire."

The F40 group has devised an alternative system to divide up education cash nationally and are hoping the Government will consider it.

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly went to school in Broadway and Ms Smith's role means two education chiefs now have links to the county.