Title

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Spending Review: Council-run schools to be consigned to history

Local authority-run schools will be a ‘thing of the past,’ the chancellor announced in his Spending Review today.

Local authority-run schools will be a ‘thing of the past,' the chancellor announced in his Spending Review today.

George Osborne said moving control of schools from local councils would save £600m on the Education Services Grant. 

He also announced the Government would phase out the ‘unfair' school funding system, replacing it with a new national Funding Formula from 2017.

Mr Osborne said: ‘We will phase out the arbitrary and unfair school funding system that has systematically under-funded schools in whole swathes of the country.

‘Under the current arrangements, a child from a disadvantaged background in one school can receive half as much funding as a child in identical circumstances in another school. 

‘In its place, we will introduce a new national funding formula.

'I commend the many MPs from all parties who have campaigned for many years to see this day come.'

Mr Osborne also pledged to deliver another 500 new free school and university technical colleges. 

 

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Turning delay into delivery

By Ann McGauran | 12 August 2026

Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority was born amid a two-year delay to the mayoral elections and a furore over local government reorganisation,...

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Tourism costs

By Ann McGauran | 12 August 2026

Bath is a tourism destination delivering an ambitious programme of commercial regeneration. But it is calling for more support from government above and beyo...

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Untangling the wires to progress

By Martin Ford | 12 August 2026

The Government has finally unveiled it proposals to ‘rewire the state’ and devolve powers to regional and local levels. Martin Ford delves into the document.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Rewiring or short circuit?

By Jonathan Carr-West | 12 August 2026

Jonathan Carr-West looks at the obstacles the Government will have to tackle in its devolution White Paper.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman