School Cuts
Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer promised change. After 14 years of damaging school cuts, we expected this Government to begin to reverse the cuts.
But on December 10, the Government recommended an unfunded teacher pay-award of 2.8% for 2025/26.
There is no way around it, this means more cuts for our schools.
New research released by the School Cuts coalition shows that the vast majority of schools – 76% of primary schools and 94% of secondary schools – will not be able to afford their costs next year. We calculate that schools’ costs for 2025-26 will rise by 3.4%, while mainstream school funding will increase by just 2.2%.
This cut in funding will see overall per pupil funding drop to the lowest levels in England in real terms for at least 15 years.
Schools are still in the midst of a funding crisis. Heads, teachers and school staff have done all they can to shield children from the impact of cuts. There are no more efficiencies to be made in school budgets. After 14 years of austerity, the majority of schools are currently not able to absorb increased costs.
These cuts will lead to schools shedding subjects, losing support staff, and cutting back on basic maintenance to balance the books.