Jenny Willott, the Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, has welcomed the news that the Liberal Democrat’s Pupil Premium policy is helping children from less well-off backgrounds to achieve more at school.
A report by Ofsted shows that the achievement gap between children who receive free school meals and their classmates was closing in all schools in England judged by Ofsted to be good or outstanding for overall effectiveness.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have successfully negotiated a Welsh equivalent to the Pupil Premium, the Pupil Deprivation Grant (PDG) in successive budget negotiations with the Welsh Government. As a result, this year schools have received £918 per pupil on free school meals, to help improve achievement levels.
The Welsh Government has not yet confirmed whether PDG funding will continue at the current level, which is leaving schools unable to plan ahead.
Commenting, Jenny Willott MP, said:
“It is clear that the Pupil Deprivation Grant, like the Pupil Premium in England, is helping students in schools across Wales to get on. It is making a real difference to those children who need it most.
“The funding now needs to continue so that schools can plan ahead and take advantage of this money to support children who need it the most.
“As Liberal Democrats we believe in equality and the PDG is a vital part of ensuring children from less well-off backgrounds receive the best start in life. I hope Labour commits to supporting these children as soon as possible.”
