Parents of children in our Southampton special schools have been distressed following reports that funding for their schools is to be severely cut.

The latest information is that the cut may be 11%.

It is now clear that almost all our city schools are to lose out. But the blow will be heaviest for those children in most need of help.

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School funding has not increased in real terms over the past five years in spite of increased costs.

Changes to the new School Funding formula, although not a direct cut, would create a shortfall. School budgets will inevitably suffer cuts that will affect children’s education.

It is very worrying that the present government is effectively depriving schools of essential funding and at the same time planning to increase the number of grammar schools

The government needs to consider its funding policy to avoid damage to schools that could blight the future for a generation of children.

Maureen Turner

Lib Dem spokesperson for education, Southampton.