THE Minister of State for School Standards, Nick Gibb, claims in the Messenger ( March 9) that teaching union figures revealing how much funding Trafford schools are set to lose under the new formula are 'misleading'.

Mr Gibb is burying his head in the sand. Local schools were already struggling to balance the books. Heads are battling rising costs, and the new funding formula mean many schools face further cuts – as much as £443 per pupil on average. That’s why I fully support our local teaching and support staff unions’ fight for fairer funding for our local schools.

In this week’s Budget, the Chancellor announced he will spend £320 million on new free schools that educate only a minority of children, increasing to £655 million in 2021-22. But he’s promised only £216 million to spend on all other schools combined.

This small amount of funding promised to existing schools won’t enable them to hire and retain teaching staff and teaching assistants, purchase equipment, or offer educational visits and extra music, sports and outdoor activities. Educating our children should be our top priority. Instead, Tory policies mean larger class sizes, fewer teaching and support staff to help children's learning, and less money for equipment and educational activities away from school. The Tories are letting down Trafford children.

Kate Green,  Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston