A CASH boost of more than £7million for building improvements to Worcestershire schools during 2003 has been dismissed by the Vale's MP, who said the county had been "short-changed".

The money is made up of £5.96million earmarked for building projects to create more pupil places and £1.048million to enable disabled pupils to attend mainstream schools.

Worcestershire's allocation is part of £76million for the West Midlands region. Nationally, more than £950million is being invested in school buildings for 2003-04.

The money was announced by Education Minister David Miliband. He said: "Capital expenditure has increased five-fold since 1997 and is set to rise to more than £5billion by 2005-06. This reflects this Government's strong commitment to ensuring that schools offer an environment that supports higher standards.

"Fully modernised and well maintained schools have an important role to play in raising educational standards and we are determined to deliver attractive, accessible and effective learning environments for all our children and young people."

Mr Luff, however, described the settlement as "disappointing". He went on: "This money does not address the fundamental problem that Worcestershire has been short-changed by the funding formula.

"We should not have to rely on special little funding pots which are of no relevance to school funding."