Our local Lib Dem MP, Mark Hunter, has exposed the shocking shortfall in central Government funding for our children in Stockport, compared to Manchester and London.

Figures uncovered in a parliamentary question from Mr Hunter indicated that in 2009/10 while Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council only received £152,404 million from central Government through the dedicated schools grant. Manchester received £280,993 million. Stockport Council receives less than the English average of £194,872 million and only a fifth of the money allocated to Kent who receives a massive £791,332 million.

Per pupil funding was also less than Manchester with Stockport only receiving £4,043 per pupil compared to £4,731 for a pupil in Manchester and £5,044 per pupil in London.

Money from the dedicated schools grant is ring-fenced and comes directly from central Government to pay for schools, but does not include money for academies which goes directly from central Government to the school.