Liberal Democrats announce education funding commitment for Leicestershire

3.17.19pm GMT Mon 1st Feb 2010

The Liberal Democrats have announced a major funding commitment to boost education in Leicestershire.

Nick Clegg has this week set out the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment for a Pupil Premium that would invest around £18.4m of extra cash in Leicestershire's schools, raising the funding for disadvantaged pupils to private school levels.

The money will be invested through the Pupil Premium pledge, part of a £2.5bn manifesto spending commitment.

Michael Mullaney Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bosworth said:

"It's nothing short of a scandal that children in Leicestershire continue to lose out under Labour.

"Some of the schools here receive significantly less money than the national average and something must be done.

"Under our plans, Leicestershire schools would get a further £18.4m which they could use to cut class sizes and provide more individual support."

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

"With this unfairness in funding it's no surprise there is such a gap in achievement between children from the poorest backgrounds and those families who are better off.

"Only when we get education funding back on track will be able to give all our children the fair start they deserve."