CASH-STRAPPED schools have been forced to axe teachers after their budgets have been slashed.

Halton MP Derek Twigg blasted the government over the ‘inadequate funding’ and fears pupils’ education could suffer.

He led a delegation of head teachers and Halton Council to meet Education Minister Nick Gibb MP in Westminster on Wednesday discuss the crisis.

Mr Twigg said: “Although we had the opportunity to fully air our concerns I am very disappointed in the outcome of the meeting.

“The minister said there was no extra money available from the treasury for education and his department had found savings to increase funding to schools under the new funding formula but they had no new resources.

“He suggested there might be something they could do to help small schools in future years but nothing was yet decided.”

Mr Twigg has been fighting for more funding for several months as smaller schools and secondary schools have been forced to lose staff.

He added: “It is unacceptable that some of our schools should be struggling financially especially at a time when teachers are under increased pressure and we have real deprivation issues here in Halton, made much worst by the introduction of Universal Credit and benefit cuts.

“To improve our economy and increase productivity we need our schools and colleges to be properly funded and our hardworking teachers supported with the resources they need.

“I will be further raising these concerns with the Treasury and hopefully speak in the budget debate at the end of the month. I will continue campaigning for a better deal for our schools and children.”

Primary schools set to lose money under the new formula include Daresbury Academy, Halebank and Weston.

Secondary schools facing cuts include Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy, Ormiston Chadwick Academy, St Peter and Paul Catholic College, Sandymoor, St Chad’s Catholic and CE High School, The Heath and Wade Deacon.

A Halton Council spokesman said: “We welcome the increase in funding the new national funding formula provides for many primary schools in the borough but we are concerned about funding levels for some of Halton’s smallest primary and secondary schools.

“It was disappointing that despite the case presented no changes will be made to the national funding formula.”