I AM not a person to stand on a soap box and belittle the Government, whatever their political persuasions. I don't even moan that much about life in general.

However, if there is one thing which makes me very cross it is injustice towards those who cannot fight back. In this instance, the children of Worcestershire.

The Education Grant (SSA) which the Government is giving to Worcester shire County Council this year for education will be much less than that received by similar counties all over the country.

I wondered if anyone can explain why my children and the children of Worcestershire are being penalised by an unjust system of funding? Why are these children not as important to the Government as the other children in the country?

Furthermore, it is not that this is a new situation but one that has been allowed to continue for more than a decade despite promises to correct the balance.

I have four children and I am saddened the Government feels my children are worthy of less than children in other areas of the country.

I help out at my child's primary school and I know resources are pushed to the limit. I am involved in a fund-raising committee to help buy items for the school. This year, we are going to refurbish two library areas with fund-raising events.

It is not right we have to raise money for essentials such as books when the Government continues to rob our children of crucial funding for their education. In addition, it is not right that some classes in my child's primary school have mixed year groups due to lack of funding for teaching staff.

My son's school - Ridgeway Middle School, will receive a budget of £116,448 less than similar schools elsewhere in the country purely because of the unjust funding system.

This is such a vast amount of money when education costs are very similar all over the country.

In a recent speech, the Prime Minister stated further education was available for all, no matter what background or ability they possessed. Surely this is a contradiction in terms if our children are not receiving the same equal foundations as other children in the country?

I ask all parents of children in Worcestershire to lobby the Government to stop this injustice immediately and ask that contingency funding be found now and each year until a review treats our children more fairly.

Mrs J Lloyd

Wychwood Drive

Hunt End