Local MP, Marcus Jones has welcomed the news that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in Nuneaton have been allocated £3,810,000 for 2014/15 to help them achieve their full potential. This is good news for pupils and good news for their families.

The Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools so that they can support their disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers. The Government has increased Pupil Premium funding to £1.875 billion in 2013-14, with schools attracting £900 per disadvantaged child, with an additional payment of £53 for primary-aged pupils. In 2014-15, the funding will rise to £2.5 billion, with £1,300 for primary-aged pupils, £935 for secondary-aged pupils and £1,900 for all looked-after children, adopted children and children with guardians. In total, pupils in Nuneaton will have received £9,724,000 between 2011 and 2015.

Commenting, Marcus said: "This is excellent news for disadvantaged pupils and their families in Nuneaton and will give local schools the support they need to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, can fulfil their potential.

"This is further confirmation that, despite the economic mess that we inherited from Labour, this Government has found the funds to give support to those who need it most to help them get on in life."