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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Welsh pupil funding gap 'scandal' | Welsh pupil funding gap 'scandal' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Cchildren in Wales receive an average of £527 less per pupil in funding than in England, new statistics show. | |
| The increased spending gap was described as "scandalous" by the director of a teaching union. | The increased spending gap was described as "scandalous" by the director of a teaching union. |
| Philip Dixon of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers Cymru (ATL) said Welsh education was at "crisis point". | Philip Dixon of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers Cymru (ATL) said Welsh education was at "crisis point". |
| The assembly government said spending on education in Wales had never been higher but it recognised the importance of more funding "to the front lines". | The assembly government said spending on education in Wales had never been higher but it recognised the importance of more funding "to the front lines". |
| Dr Dixon said the effects of the spending gap on Welsh schools were plain to see. | Dr Dixon said the effects of the spending gap on Welsh schools were plain to see. |
| He said: "This gap is scandalous - no other word will do. We are now spending over £500 less per pupil in Wales than in England." | He said: "This gap is scandalous - no other word will do. We are now spending over £500 less per pupil in Wales than in England." |
| Wales should be spending more than England to tackle the effects of poverty and deprivation Philip Dixon, ATL Cymru | Wales should be spending more than England to tackle the effects of poverty and deprivation Philip Dixon, ATL Cymru |
| Inspectors from Welsh schools watchdog Estyn have noted shortcomings in more than 40% of secondary school buildings inspections. | Inspectors from Welsh schools watchdog Estyn have noted shortcomings in more than 40% of secondary school buildings inspections. |
| Dr Dixon added: "We are glad that the new first minister [Carwyn Jones] has pledged more money to education because we have now reached a crisis point. | Dr Dixon added: "We are glad that the new first minister [Carwyn Jones] has pledged more money to education because we have now reached a crisis point. |
| "ATL believes there should be a spending gap between England and Wales - Wales should be spending more than England to tackle the effects of poverty and deprivation." | "ATL believes there should be a spending gap between England and Wales - Wales should be spending more than England to tackle the effects of poverty and deprivation." |
| Education spending 'never higher' | Education spending 'never higher' |
| An assembly government spokesman said spending on education in Wales had increased by 71% since 1999-2000. | An assembly government spokesman said spending on education in Wales had increased by 71% since 1999-2000. |
| But the spokesman said the government recognised the importance of getting more education funding "to the front lines". | But the spokesman said the government recognised the importance of getting more education funding "to the front lines". |
| He said: "We are taking steps to address this, and recently announced a major independent review of how education funding in Wales is allocated to schools, colleges and universities. | He said: "We are taking steps to address this, and recently announced a major independent review of how education funding in Wales is allocated to schools, colleges and universities. |
| "The first minister and education minister [Leighton Andrews] have also made a significant commitment to education, promising to increase spending by 1% above the block grant we receive from the UK Government from the 2011-12 financial year." | "The first minister and education minister [Leighton Andrews] have also made a significant commitment to education, promising to increase spending by 1% above the block grant we receive from the UK Government from the 2011-12 financial year." |
| But Conservative education spokesman Paul Davies said: "The gap in spending per pupil between Wales and England is unacceptably high - and getting wider. | But Conservative education spokesman Paul Davies said: "The gap in spending per pupil between Wales and England is unacceptably high - and getting wider. |
| "Unless we close it children in Wales will continue to be denied the same sort of learning opportunities enjoyed by pupils across the border." | "Unless we close it children in Wales will continue to be denied the same sort of learning opportunities enjoyed by pupils across the border." |