The Government has admitted Essex schools have a funding crisis and has promised more money for next year - but Billericay MP John Baron is not satisfied.

The MP joined 33 local schools last month in writing to the Government to complain about school finances. David Miliband, member of state for school standards, has now replied to this letter.

Mr Baron said: "In this letter the Government has finally admitted that its changes in the funding system have put considerable pressure on individual school budgets.

"As a result of many complaints, the Government is now promising more money for Essex next year, but as yet the details are very unclear."

The Education Secretary Charles Clarke has also promised additional money to those Essex schools in deficit, with a funding increase of five per cent per pupil from 2004.

But Mr Baron said: "The problem is that it is too early to draw any firm conclusions as there is not enough detail as to how these figures will affect individual schools."

Published Wednesday November 26, 2003

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