£19m school spending pledge backed by Huppert

10.52.33am GMT Wed 3rd Feb 2010

Julian Huppert

Ambitious Liberal Democrat plans to spend an extra £19 million in schools across Cambridgeshire to help children from the poorest homes has been welcomed by Julian Huppert, the party's parliamentary candidate for Cambridge.

The move would mean that funding for disadvantaged pupils could be raised to private school levels, providing the opportunity for class sizes to be reduced.

Julian said: "This is extremely welcome news. It means that children can get the help and support they need and deserve. It could make a world of difference for some of our youngsters in Cambridge.

"Chilldren from poorer households have been disadvantaged by our education system and often achieve less than those from wealthier families. This is an opportunity to redress the balance and give those pupils the help that has been afforded only to children in private schools in the past."

The extra spending power has been revealed by Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg as a general election manifesto pledge.

The Pupil Premium would be paid to schools for every child they educate from the poorest households.

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