Spending gap between England and Wales 'increasing'

January 26 2011

The spending gap between schools in England and Wales has increased.

New figures show that local authorities in Wales spend £604 less per pupil per year than councils in England, Wales Online reports.

This compares to £527 less per student last year.

Dr Philip Dixon, director of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers Cymru, told the news provider: "This is totally shocking. Some pundits were predicting the gap would widen but not this much. I think to have reached the £600 mark is psychologically significant.

"People will say we are not comparing like for like but nevertheless this gap is real and is being felt by teachers in crumbling buildings and with a lack of resources.

"I hope this represents the low point. We have to begin to turn this around from here."

The report from the Welsh Assembly Government also highlighted the achievement gap between pupils living in deprived parts of Wales and wealthy areas.

It was revealed that just 34.5 per cent of youngsters in Rhymney and Merthyr Tydfil managed to gain an A* to C-grade in English or Welsh and maths last year.

In other Welsh education news, Plaid Cymru is calling for the six week summer break to be scrapped and replaced by holidays spread throughout the year.

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