NE CAMBS MP Steve Barclay has issued a rallying call to encourage schools across Fenland to lobby for fairer funding.

Mr Barclay raised the issue in the House of Commons yesterday with the Department of Education’s consultation on school funding reform due to close tomorrow.

Urging schools to write ahead of the deadline, Mr Barclay said: “The funding for schools put in place under the last Labour Government penalises children in Cambridgeshire, who are put at a significant disadvantage compared to the funding offered elsewhere in the country.

“Cambridgeshire schools are in the bottom quartile in terms of funding, receiving �4,093 per pupil compared to the national average for all local authorities of �4,531 per pupil.

“Parents across North East Cambridgeshire will rightly ask why their children receive �500 less than the children in Labour’s heartlands.

“It is time the Coalition Government righted this wrong and ensured that all children across the country are funded fairly and based on need.”

The MP added: “It is important that as many people as possible in Cambridgeshire respond to the Department’s consultation. I am calling on all schools who have not yet responded to ensure that their voice is heard.

“I wrote to the Minister on March 21 following my meeting with headteachers representing March and Chatteris, and I have discussed it more recently with the Principals of Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey, and Thomas Clarkson Community College in Wisbech.

“The introduction of a fairer funding approach would be a massive help to our local schools in attracting talented teachers and giving students the best possible chance.”