Liberal Democrats announce education funding commitment for Bradford

11.21.54am GMT Tue 2nd Feb 2010

The Lib Dems pupil premium will give Bradford schoosl an extra £44m

The Liberal Democrats have announced a major funding commitment to boost education in Bradford.

Nick Clegg has this week set out the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment for a Pupil Premium that would invest around £44m of extra cash in Bradford schools, raising the funding for disadvantaged pupils to private school levels.

The money will be invested through the Pupil Premium pledge, part of a £2.5bn manifesto spending commitment.

Cllr David Ward, Bradford Lib Dem spokesperson for education said:

"It's nothing short of a scandal that children in Bradford continue to lose out under Labour.

"Some of the schools here receive significantly less money than the national average and something must be done.

"Under our plans, 206 Bradford schools would get a further £44m which they could use to cut class sizes and provide more individual support."

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

"With this unfairness in funding it's no surprise there is such a gap in achievement between children from the poorest backgrounds and those families who are better off.

"Only when we get education funding back on track will be able to give all our children the fair start they deserve."