Lamb Releases North Norfolk School Funding Report - Potential funding disaster, says MP

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th May 2003

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has released a report illustrating that schools in his constituency are facing a potential funding disaster.

The report which Mr Lamb compiled shows that 66 per cent of North Norfolk schools are having to cut back on teachers, learning support assistants or both; that the headteachers of 42 per cent of schools are having to take on extra teaching responsibilities; and that 79 per cent are having to make cuts in their equipment budgets.

His revelations come on the deadline day by which local authorities across the country have to justify their education funding allocations to the Government.

"This year's funding settlement for schools in Norfolk seems likely to be very damaging," said Norman Lamb. "The results of the survey I conducted among local headteachers demonstrate quite clearly the damaging effect this will have on school budgets. At a time when the Government claims to be increasing investment in our schools, the news on the ground is very different. How are schools supposed to continue to improve standards in these circumstances?

"I will continue to fight for fair funding for Norfolk's schools."