Today, Monday 10^th March, the School Cuts coalition are holding a parliamentary briefing for MPs on the financial crisis currently facing schools across the nation.

The School Cuts coalition is run by the National Education Union,  Association of School and College Leaders, National Association of Head Teachers, National Governance Association and ParentKind.

This will be the first briefing of the new parliament by the School Cuts coalition ahead of the Spring statement by the Chancellor on 26th March.

New research by the coalition shows that the vast majority of schools – 76% of primary schools and 94% of secondary schools – will not be able to afford their costs next year.

This follows the government's remit letter to the School Teachers Review Body (STRB) which recommended a 2.8% rise in teacher pay for 2025/26 but provided no new funding to cover this.

Schools’ costs are expected to rise by 3.4% next year, but mainstream funding will increase by just 2.2%. This leaves a gap of £700million that the government would need to increase school funding by to fully fund staff pay awards.

This cut in funding will see overall per pupil funding drop to the lowest levels in England in real terms for at least 15 years. Every local authority in the country will see a reduction in real terms per pupil funding, with an average cut of 1.2%.

Despite the unwavering dedication of school leaders, teachers and staff, the impact of these cuts is undeniable: overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school infrastructure and mounting obstacles to delivering the high-quality education every child deserves.

Schools are facing significant difficulty in recruiting and retaining teachers, with a diminishing number of new entrants to the profession and a concerning trend of experienced educators and school leaders leaving for alternative career paths.

Simultaneously, budgetary constraints are forcing a reduction in curriculum offerings, narrowing educational opportunities for students and undermining the comprehensive education required for their future success.

‘School funding – A chance for change’ will be held on Monday 10 March 2025, 1-2pm. It is sponsored by Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North.

Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, said: “As a former teacher, and former President of the NEU, I have seen the devastating legacy of the Tories on education. Their neglect has meant thousands of children have missed out on the opportunities and support they deserve, and we are determined to put that right.

“Since taking office, I am proud that this Labour government has begun undoing some of the damage of a long fourteen years. We've recruited thousands of new teachers with better pay and begun reforming the curriculum.

“We're expanding early years education, ensuring every child has access to free breakfast clubs, and putting vital mental health support in schools. This is a government that believes in opportunity for every child, and we're just getting started.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “The time for action is now. Our schools form the bedrock of the nation’s future, providing children with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive. Without immediate and substantial investment, we risk failing an entire generation and eroding the economic and social fabric of our communities. The government must use its upcoming multi-year spending review to inject additional funding into the system.”

Daniel Kebede, NEU general secretary, said: “Schools are being stretched to breaking point. Fourteen years of cuts have drained budgets and put our children’s education at risk. Despite being elected on a promise of change, the Government are intent on pushing through more cuts to funding that will lead to schools cutting subjects, losing support staff, and cutting back on basic maintenance to balance the books. We can’t afford to let another generation fall behind.”

Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Right across the country, schools are setting deficit budgets and preparing to make further cuts. It is not sustainable for things to carry on as they are. If the government is serious about young people getting the opportunities they deserve, it must demonstrate this by ensuring schools and colleges have the resources they need to deliver the best possible education to every pupil and student.”

Emma Balchin, NGA chief executive, said: “For many years, governors and trustees have been telling us that balancing the budget is their biggest challenge, with more and more using reserves to keep their school or trust functioning. Over a third of respondents to our annual survey described their organisation as financially unsustainable.

“We are therefore deeply concerned that on current projections, costs will outstrip funding rises for most schools and trusts again next year, forcing further cutbacks in a system which is already on the brink. Our members are clear that many schools and trusts simply cannot afford further cuts, and it is young people who will ultimately pay the price. We are therefore calling on the government to prioritise investment in schools at the upcoming spending review.”