The Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Education, Jenny Randerson has highlighted Government figures which show that education spending per pupil is continuing to fall behind England.
Assembly Government figures show that average spend in England is now £5,687 compared to £5,192 in Wales. Excluding London figures, which are historically high, average spend in England is £5,507, well above the Welsh average. Pupils in Wales are almost £500 worse off than their counterparts over the border.
Jenny Randerson said: “Looking back at figures over the last ten years, the gap between England and Wales is growing . I have no doubt that the Government will try to blame Local Authorities but the blame lies with the Assembly Government and their poor financial priorities.
“They seem to prioritise their pet projects while the bread and butter funding for educating our children is neglected.
“Should they really be piloting laptops for kids when the money to buy books and fund teachers is lagging so far behind England?”
“Just as in my old portfolio of health, I am quickly finding that when it comes to education, this Government is headed in the wrong direction.”
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