MP Graham Brady has branded a controversial new funding formula for schools ‘entirely unacceptable’ and met with the Secretary of State for Education to highlight his concerns.

The National Funding Formula was unveiled by Secretary of State for Education Justine Greening in December, which aimed to address historic gaps in funding between local education authorities.

Campaigners, including Mr Brady, have been calling for reform for some time, claiming schools were losing out on thousands of pounds worth of funding in an education ‘postcode’ lottery.

However, the new system has been branded unfair and critics say it actually defeats the purpose, with cash-strapped schools having to contend with further cuts.

Trafford – already one of the most poorly funded authorities in England – is bracing itself for an additional loss of £800,000 of schools funding.

All secondary schools and grammar schools in the borough would suffer a funding reduction under new formula, and seven primary schools would not see any increase in funding, including some of the most deprived in the borough.

Concerned by the impact of the formula on Trafford schools, MP for Altrincham and Sale West Graham Brady held a meeting with the Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening MP, on January 10.

Following the meeting, Mr Brady said: “The draft funding formula is entirely unacceptable and fails to deliver the fairer distribution of money that was the whole point of the changes in the first place.

“I have campaigned for a national funding formula for many years to level the playing field for Trafford.

“Our schools get the best results in England but are delivering top quality education on a shoe string budget for entirely historical reasons.

“I met with the Secretary of State as soon as Trafford schools had been able to assess the way the new formula would work.

“I am confident that she understands the problem and has stressed that these numbers are merely for consultation.

“I will do everything possible to ensure that our excellent schools get the funding increases that they need.”

Trafford Council has also written to the Secretary of State demanding a better deal for the borough’s schools after cross-party support was given to a Labour motion at the town hall in January.