Tory and Labour MPs fire warning shot over school funding reforms

London MPs have fired a warning shot at government plans to reform school funding which they fear could strip the capital of £700 million.

Tories teamed up with Labour MPs to pass a motion in the Commons calling for the changes to be fair to the city’s children.

Bob Neill, Tory MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, said London faced “greater challenges”, adding: “There are far more children with English as a second language. There are higher levels of deprivation on almost any indices.” Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has vowed to “end the postcode lottery” that means schools in some areas get 50 per cent more money.

London stands to lose out because boroughs receive about £781 per pupil more than the national average.

The National Union of Teachers claims the city could lose £684 million. In the Commons, Labour’s Bethnal Green and Bow MP Rushanara Ali called on the Government to “consider the formula again”.

Schools minister Sam Gyimah said the system is “hugely unfair” but that he was ready to listen to concerns.