CONSERVATIVE MP Peter Luff has defended Worcestershire County Council's "failure" to pass on desperately-needed cash to local schools.

Earlier this week, the Evening News revealed it was one of 33 local authorities to miss the Government's target of handing down 87 per cent of education funding direct to children.

At the same time, County Hall is spending £46 per pupil on administration - £3 more per youngster than the average for similar councils.

Dramatic improvements

Mr Luff said that, while the target had not been reached, the Conservative-run council had made dramatic improvements since taking over 12 months ago .

He also criticised "partisan" City Labour MP Mike Foster for saying the council must "justify" its actions to parents campaigning for extra cash.

"Mike Foster's motives are obvious - he is building up a case for the Government continuing to short-change the county," said the mid-Worcestershire MP.

"When the local government spending review is published, he will be able to say that any continuing unfairness is the fault of badly-run schools and an inefficient county council.

"If the review does address the fundamental unfairness, he will instead say that the government has been generous with the county, despite all its mistakes.

"When the Labour party ran the county, only 83.7% of money was devolved from the bureaucracy at County Hall to schools.

"Within a year of taking over, the Conservatives have got the figure up to 86.6 per cent. He shouldn't be attacking the county - he should be congratulating it."

It is the second time the two MPs have clashed over education spending in recent weeks.

Mr Luff was furious after Mr Foster said the county's schools were under-performing compared with those which receive even less funding.