TRAFFORD MP Kate Green has hit out at the Chancellor's multi-million pound commitment to free schools in the Budget.

This comes as teachers and unions are protesting at a funding crisis in existing schools nationally, including Trafford.

In Wednesday's Budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond pressed on with the Government’s free schools expansion plan, by agreeing to spend £320m nationally towards the opening of the schools.

He also announced that existing schools would get an extra £216m over the next three years.

But Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green criticised the spending priorities in the Budget.

“Trafford schools face a funding crisis that will leave them losing £443 per pupil by 2019, but instead of helping all schools, the Tories are opening new schools that will serve only a minority of children."

In his budget speech, Mr Hammond said the Government is taking steps to enable the creation of new, selective free schools "so that the most academically-gifted children get specialist support to fulfil their potential."

Mr Hammond is also extending free school transport to include all children on free school meals who attend a selective school.

Trafford parents have been campaigning against cuts to transport for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Last year, there were protests outside Trafford Town Hall against the cuts, while Trafford Labour group councillors raised the issue on behalf of the affected families.