A TOTAL of £3.7m promised to Worcestershire schools has gone "missing in the system" since being handed to the county council, the Government claims.

Now Education Secretary Charles Clarke has given county council education chiefs 10 days to explain why the money earmarked for individual schools has not been distributed.

The ultimatum comes as councils faced with massive budget shortfalls are threatening to make teachers redundant, slash resources and even put schools on a four-day week.

Mr Clarke insisted he was not "naming and shaming" any local education authorities, but instead asking all 148 to explain why cash was not reaching schools.

"I want every LEA to look closely at their spending plans to ensure the maximum amount is given to individual schools without delay," he said.

"We are also asking LEAs to set out the steps they are intending to take to avoid any needless redundancies of teaching staff. It is vital extra investment the Government intends for schools reaches schools."

However, Worcestershire County Council claims the funds have been allocated - but to next year's budget.

"That £3.7m is in the schools budget and will be allocated during the next financial year," said Colin Weeden, head of education policy for Worcestershire County Council.

And Eddie Oram, director of education for Herefordshire Council, which is accused of "losing" £1.5m, also denied any cash was missing.

"It has gone into services for the family. We spend £1.2m on early years education, £800,000 on school transport and money on pupils excluded from school," he said.

Mid-Worcestershire Tory MP Peter Luff accused Mr Clarke of attempting to shift the blame for his own failings.

"The truth is Charles Clarke has massively increased the costs to LEAs of providing education and teachers are facing redundancies."

Worcester Labour MP Mike Foster said: "If schools are facing budget problems, I want to know immediately. I will then sit down with the LEA and work out how to avoid the crazy situation of LEAs holding back cash while teachers' jobs are threatened."