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Silence on early years funding "incomprehensible", Alliance says

By Rachel Lawler
 
early years funding spending round leak
The government is planning to announce £3.5bn of additional funding for schools, according to a seen by The Guardian.
 
The leaked document suggests that the government plans to increase teacher’s pay to £30,000 a year and reveals plans for a proposed £24,000 incentive for academy trusts that take over failing schools.
 
The leak came shortly before Chancellor Sajid Javid confirmed that his 12-month "spending round" will take place on 4 September. He also warned that there would be no "blank cheque" for any department.
 
Schools and SEND
The additional funding is said to include £2.8 billion for primary and secondary schools and £800 million for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
 
A further £800 million for sixth form and further education colleges, said to still be under discussion between the Department for Education and the Treasury.
 
Additional funding for the government’s “free childcare” schemes was not mentioned in the leaked memo.
 
Funding crisis
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, said: “"We are extremely concerned that early years education failed to get a mention at all in the leaked government document about schools funding. The sector, which is responsible for educating and caring for children at the most important stage in their development, is in the midst of a funding crisis.
 
“If government doesn’t invest properly in this sector now, childcare providers will continue to close their doors for good, reducing the number of government funded places and potentially denying parents the opportunity to work. The silence in the face of a £662 million shortfall in government funding is incomprehensible and needs to be addressed urgently."
 
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