Liberal Democrat Schools Minister, David Laws, Announces Increases in Pupil Premium Funding
David Laws, Liberal Democrat Schools Minister in the Coalition Government announced today, 19th December, 2012, the increased Pupil Premium money each school in England will receive in 2013/14.
The Pupil Premium is targeted extra money to schools depending on the number of children from disadvantaged backgrounds on their rolls. The Pupil Premium is a major Liberal Democrat priority that is being delivered by the Coalition Government.
The Pupil Premium will be worth a total of £1.65bn, or £900 per child, in 2013/14. It covers any primary or secondary school pupil that has been registered for Free School Meals in the past six years.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Schools Minister, David Laws said:
"Liberal Democrats are building a strong economy and a fair society where everyone can get ahead. Education is at the heart of this objective. The Pupil Premium is extra support for the children who need it the most, whether it is catch-up classes, one-to-one tuition, extra IT support - whatever the school thinks best. Helping the most disadvantaged children helps every child. Fewer children falling behind means less disruption in class and a better education for everyone."
Further increases are planned and by 2015 the Pupil Premium will be worth a total of £2.5bn a year to schools in England.
The Pupil Premium was one of four policy priorities that the Liberal Democrats put on the front page of their 2010 General Election manifesto.
The others were:
raising the point at which you start paying Income Tax to £10,000 to give people on low and middle incomes a £700 tax cut;
creating jobs by making Britain greener;
and measures to clean up politics.