Surrey schools face £24.8 million cut in spending power

Guildford Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Zöe Franklin “furious” at Conservative Government’s “betrayal” of pupils, teachers and parents.

Data from the National Education Union (NEU) reveals funding across Surrey will be cut by £167 per pupil in 2024/25 compared with 2023/24.  

Of the 355 schools in Surrey, 332 will have less spending power in 2024/25. 

Cuts to schools’ spending power in Surrey will mean falls of:

• £155 for each primary school pupil   
• £207 for every secondary school student  

This latest analysis comes as new data from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) shows the Conservative Government has cut the annual growth in funding in cash terms from 8% in 2023/4 to 3.1% in 2024/5.  

The IFS, the UK’s leading independent economics research institute, concluded that total spending on education has fallen in real terms by 8%, or £10 billion, since 2010-11.  

Zöe Franklin, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate said: 

“How long can this failing Government be allowed to carry on causing harm? I am furious that the Conservatives continue to fail Guildford’s children.  

“These cuts are a betrayal of staff, pupils and their parents, as teachers are put under even more pressure by budget cuts.  

“The Liberal Democrats believe a good education is a right, not a privilege. Teaching is a demanding profession, and staff should be valued and have the resources they need to provide the quality education they want for their students." 

Ms Franklin added:  

“Investing in education is investing in our future. But the Conservative government has let school buildings crumble and has stood back while schools struggle with a severe shortage of teachers.  

“Instead of preparing the next generation for the future, the Conservatives have abandoned them. Change is long overdue."