Manchester Withington MP has urged the Government to come clean about school funding after new figures reveal that 5,366 teachers have left the profession over the last year.

New data released today showed that while teacher numbers are falling, there were 136,544 more pupils in schools than last year.  According to the School Cuts coalition, a campaign group which includes the National Education Union, the National Association of Headteachers and other unions, £2.8 billion has been taken out of school budgets since 2015.

In south Manchester alone, the figures show a fall of £4.65 million from school budgets, working out at £120,000 per primary school and £470,000 per secondary school.

Commenting on the figures, Jeff said:

“These figures are just the latest reminder that this Government’s pledge to protect school funding isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. 

Rises in costs from national insurance, pension contributions, and inflation mean flat budgets on paper mean reduced budgets in reality. 

These figures show that pupils in south Manchester will lose on average £300 each between 2015 and 2020. The Government must think again and listen to head teachers across the country who are telling them they need more funding.”

For more statistics, and to find out more about the School Cuts Coalition, visit their website here.