“Funding our futures”-Welsh Lib Dems demand action on school deficits

Today (5^th March 2024) in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have demanded that the Welsh Government take action on school deficits.

According to the Welsh Local Government Association schools are facing inflationary pressures totalling £177 million this year, which could potentially rise to £114 million next year.

Whilst according to the chairs of governors association, most schools expect to post deficits for the 2024-25 financial year.

The funding crisis currently facing schools across Wales has created fresh concerns around a reduction in teaching quality, staff burn-out, less maintenance and potential redundancies.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

“Whilst I recognise and welcome the fact that the Welsh Government’s final budget will continue to maintain core school funding, at the same time it’s difficult for me to ignore its failures in ensuring additional financial support.

Faced with £177 million inflationary pressures, it should come as no surprise that many schools in Wales will be expected to post deficits for this coming financial year.

By failing to address this funding crisis in their final budget, the Welsh Government have potentially compromised the quality of education that our children receive.

Through their inaction, Welsh Labour also risk contributing towards staff burnout and job redundancies within an education sector already nearing its breaking point.

The Welsh Government must do more to empower our schools with greater financial autonomy and flexibility if we are to fund a brighter future for us all.

We urgently need to consider fresh reforms to the eligibility criteria for funding schemes like the Pupil Development grants, so that we can guarantee that our schools have the resources they need to meet student demands.”