THE claims by the National Union of Teachers have come under criticism from Simon Burns, MP for Chelmsford.

The NUT claims that schools will lose out on thousands of pounds of funding due to proposed Government changes to the school funding system.

The Tory MP for the city said that under the proposals from the Government schools will in fact benefit from more funding.

He added: “The funding for education and schools is very important, even in a time of tight economic circumstance.

“The Government is spending £40 billion on education. If the new funding formula is implemented, 31 of the 35 schools in Chelmsford will see an increase in their funding.

“There will also be extra funding given to schools to help make special arrangements for pupils who need that. The increases will range from 0.1 per cent to nine per cent, depending on the school.

“There will be four schools that will see a reduction in their funding and two of them are grammar schools.

“This is partly because there are relatively fewer students at these schools.

“I understand the NUT is campaigning to get an eight per cent increase in funding.

“I think the NUT is looking at the increase in rates compared to the funding levels suggested.

“The union is considering increases in things like energy prices and changes to National Insurance Tax for employers.”

Mr Burns said the Government provides the funding for the schools and it is up to the schools to budget for their costs.

He added: “The Government does not and has not considered increases or changes in rates when granting funding.

“The union is suggesting the schools are granted the eight per cent increase to cover the increases in the rates.

“The schools will receive the increase in funding, not cuts to funding as suggested, and then it is then up the school to tailor that funding and budget for what they need to pay for.

“The schools will be able to make efficiency savings if that is necessary in the future and if these Government plans are passed.”