Sir Alok Sharma has welcomed an extra £3 million in Government funding for schools across Reading West. The funding is part of a wider package of £2 billion that will be invested in schools across the country.

The Government is putting more funding into schools than ever before with funding set to rise faster than forecast inflation over the next couple years. As part of the initiative, every state school in England will receive extra funding, with a typical primary school set to receive an extra £35,000 and a typical secondary school to receive £200,000.

Schools received their first payment by 10 May 2023 and will be able to choose how best to invest the extra funding, including to pay for teacher salary uplifts and teaching assistants. The remainder of the £2 billion will be used to increase Pupil Premium funding rates, which are rising by five per cent in 2023-24.

The Education Secretary’s 4.5 per cent pay offer for teachers next year, alongside a £1,000 one off payment, is fully funded when combined with the additional £620 million of funding provided as part of that offer.

The Government is investing record amounts to deliver a world-class education to give pupils the education they need to succeed in Britain.

Welcoming the new funding, Sir Alok Sharma said:

“I very much welcome the extra £3 million in extra funding for schools in my constituency.

“The additional funding will play a key role in enabling young people to reach their full potential and I am delighted that the Government is delivering for parents and children across Reading.”

Commenting, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:

“I am hugely grateful to all our brilliant teachers, school leaders, and support staff for all their incredible work and immeasurable impact they have on the lives of children every day.

“it’s fantastic that schools across Reading West have now received new cash, part of £3 million for schools in the area, supporting them with everything from staffing to school trips.

“With school funding set to be at its highest ever level next year, even accounting for inflation, parents everywhere can be confident schools are being supported to let teachers get on and do what they do best – teach.”