During the recent Autumn Statement, the Chancellor failed to make any announcements in relation to school funding. Like many, I was incredibly disappointed that our children’s education was overlooked once again by this Tory Government. 

I have seen first-hand in our constituency and nationally the impact chronic underfunding has had on our education system and how this is being brought to breaking point. The financial pressures schools are facing has left an appalling amount of our schools with crumbling materials, underpaid staff, and failing to support children with special educational needs.

In fact, I have visited schools across Sheffield who do not have running hot water, have crumbling concrete and difficulties in retaining their staff due to real time pay cuts and increased workloads.

Education should be at the heart of our plans for this country, but I am concerned there is a lack of ambition for our schools. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), school spending per pupil fell by 9% in real terms between 2009-10 and 2019-20 – the largest cut in over 40 years. The purchasing power of school spending per pupil in 2024–25 is expected to be about 3% lower than in 2009–10.

The problem with our education system is exemplified by the condition of our school buildings in my view. Despite knowing about the risks of reinforced aerated autoclave concrete (RAAC) for months, the Government did not take action and over 150 education settings were forced to close days before the start of term, causing further disruption to children’s education.

Only recently, the Department for Education (DfE) revealed it had miscalculated its funding plans for this academic year, leaving schools with £370 million less than promised. Schools are already struggling with rising mental health needs, soaring child poverty and increasing demands such as on SEND provision. I am very concerned about how lowering the funding allocations will impact schools.

I support calls to end tax breaks for private schools and for that money to be used to invest in a brilliant education for every child, including thousands of new teachers, ongoing training for school staff, and access to a qualified mental health counsellor at school.

Teachers are overworked, overstretched and undervalued. They do an incredible job but there are simply not enough of them, with the Government continuing to miss its own recruitment targets and almost a third leaving the profession within five years.

It is my fundamental belief that investing in education must ensure investing in teaching. I want to see the Government to do more to support our teachers and ensure that they are free on ensuring our schools are safe, teaching standards are high and educators receive a fair pay increase. 

Every parent, child and educators deserve investment in education. We need a brighter future, not simply winding back the clock. I want to see a retention payment made to new teachers when they complete the Early Career Framework – a package of training and support for early career teachers.