Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to reform national funding formulae for primary and secondary schools.

This Government is committed to providing a world class education system for all children and has invested significantly in education to achieve that.

The national funding formula (NFF) continues to distribute funding fairly, based on the needs of schools and their pupil cohorts. The purpose of the NFF is not to give every school the same level of per pupil funding. It is right that schools with more pupils with additional needs receive extra funding to help them meet the needs of all their pupils.

The NFF targets funding to schools which have the greatest numbers of pupils with additional needs. In 2023/24, the Department has targeted a greater proportion of schools NFF funding towards deprived pupils than ever before. 9.8% (over £4 billion) of the formula has been allocated according to deprivation in 2023/24. This will help schools in their vital work to close attainment gaps, and level up educational opportunities.

The NFF is reviewed and updated on an annual basis. In the future we will continue to fund schools through the NFF in a fair and transparent manner, on a consistent assessment of need based on pupil numbers and characteristics.