Research analysed by Chichester Labour has revealed that schools across Chichester City have lost out on over £2million of funding between 2015 and 2019.

In research carried out by the National Education Union, the local schools hit hardest in the City were Bishop Luffa who have lost over £470,987; Parklands Community Primary School who lost £336,476, but the worst hit of all has been Chichester High School who have lost £572,326.

Accounts of letters being sent home to parents asking for donations in covering the cost of basics such as stationary and other teaching resources have repeatedly surfaced.

The figures have been published as part of the School Cuts campaign launched by the NEU and supported by the Labour Party. See how your local school has been hit by Tory austerity here

Philip Wilson, Labour Candidate for Chichester South said, “It is shameful that after the Tories maintain the end of austerity is near, the truth is that we know that public services in Chichester as well as across the rest of the country continue to struggle”

Angela Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, said:

“The Tories have slashed school budgets for the first time in a generation, and there will now be millions of children paying the price for austerity.

“It’s time for the government to listen to teachers, parents and local councillors. Their cuts have consequences, and it is a disgrace that in one of the richest countries in the world teachers are being forced to beg parents for money to pay for basic supplies and schools are forced to close early due to lack of funds.

“Austerity in our schools must end, and the next Labour government will end cuts to school budgets giving our schools the resources they need and increasing per pupil funding to a record high.”

Philip Wilson continued by saying, “This is just another reason why we need Labour Councillors in Chichester to speak out for what really matters whether that be education cuts, housing or climate change. Only Labour can deliver the action needed to address the concerns of local residents.”