School funding is a matter of concern for many constituents and so I was pleased to hear the Education Secretary announce an additional £1.3billion for schools funding over two years – meaning schools funding will be £2.6billion higher.
This funding boost has been found from within the Department for Education’s budget, rather than through increased taxes or more debt. This is to ensure funding is in the hands of head teachers who have the freedom to use their professional judgement to spend money where it will have the greatest impact.
I am reassured to hear the Education Secretary promise that every local authority will see a rise in its per pupil funding for schools as a result of new National Funding Formula. This will be introduced in 2018, ending the unfair postcode lottery system and providing at least a 0.5% a year per pupil cash increase for every school in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
The Education Secretary also confirmed the PE and Sports Premium for primary schools will increase from £160million to £320million. All primary schools will receive an increase in their PE and sports premium funding in the next academic year.
I was also delighted with the Health Secretary’s announcement of the NHS capital funding for Derbyshire under the Sustainability and Transformation Plans. I am pleased to say that £10million – £30million will be invested to improve health and care services across Derbyshire. A large share of the money will pay for an expansion to the emergency department at Royal Derby Hospital, creating space for 37 more minor injury beds, 10 emergency bays and additional resuscitation facilities.
The extra money will also allow the hospital to redesign space so that mental health assessment, GP care and out of hours services can all be housed in one place. £5m – £10m will pay for a new, integrated facility that will bring community services, outpatient clinics, testing and diagnostics and specialist rehab services together in one place. I wholeheartedly welcome this investment to help improve the NHS services in Derbyshire which serve Amber Valley.
I’m also delighted to announce I will be holding a ‘Brexit & Business’ breakfast roundtable on the 11th September 2017, from 8.30am in Alfreton.
The event is being organised with Thorntons so Amber Valley businesses can come together to discuss the upcoming possibilities and challenges of Brexit. The aims of the roundtable are to offer local businesses an opportunity to present their priorities for our exit from the European Union, learn more about the negotiation timetable, and discuss this Government’s priorities for securing the best possible deal with the EU.
I’m pleased that Emma McClarkin MEP will be speaking, and I’ve also invited a Minister from the Department for Exiting the European Union.
For further details, and to register a free place for your business, please ring my office on 01773 744341 or email me on nigel.mills.mp@parliament.uk.