IFS
warning over school spending
The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) has calculated that the equivalent of an
extra penny on the basic rate of income tax is needed to protect schools in
England from real-term cuts in spending. The think-tank says maintaining
funding at current levels would mean raising spending by £3.7bn over the next
four years. Headteachers across the south and east of England say more than
3,400 posts have already had to be closed at more than 700 schools, including
more than 1,000 teachers. Some 43% of the heads at these schools feel their
budgets are “inadequate” and 49% defined their financial position as being at
"crisis point". Just 8% thought funding levels were adequate or good.
BBC News
