EDUCATION Minister Stephen Timms announced today that the Government had "no plans" to give extra help to cash-strapped Worcestershire schools.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff said it was a "slap in the face" which would leave education chiefs with a "real funding crisis".

The county council has dubbed the news "a bitter blow".

Last year, schools were awarded an extra £1.35m on top of the county's education spending settlement.

The cash was in recognition of the fact the formula used to allocate education spending, which is due to be changed in 2003, is "unfair".

County schools had hoped for a repeat payment to tide them over until the new funding system is introduced.

But, in a written Parliamentary answer, Mr Timms said there were "no plans to pay a transitional grant in 2002/03".

"The £1.35m made before the last General Election was nothing more than a bribe," said Mr Luff.

"Schools this year will now face a real funding crisis - unless the county council puts up the Council Tax sharply."

Councillor Adrian Hardman, the county portfolio holder for resources, said he was determined to make sure teachers did not suffer as a result.

"Once again Worcestershire's schoolchildren and taxpaying parents have been dealt a bitter blow," he said.

However, city MP Mike Foster said all was not lost. He said the Parliamentary answer simply meant it was too soon to reach a decision on the case for extra cash.

"Local Government Secretary Stephen Byers has invited me to see him and has not ruled anything out," Mr Foster added.

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer added: "The Government has recognised there is an unfairness in the formula and that's why they're changing it.

"In that case, they should continue to pay an extra allowance in the meantime."