CAMBRIDGESHIRE’S Conservative MPs presented the county’s case for additional schools funding to the Department for Education on Monday.

Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly and North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara along with Andrew Lansley, Sir Jim Paice, and Steve Barclay called for a fairer funding settlement for the area’s schools.

Following the publication of the most recent grant figures, Cambridgeshire will receive the lowest school block funding per pupil – £3,950 – out of the 151 local education authorities. Neighbouring Peterborough will get £500 per child additional funding than Cambridgeshire.

Responding to the Cambridgeshire MPs, Minister David Laws MP said that the Government recognised the existing funding formula was “very unfair” but added that his ability to make changes would be related to the outcome of the overall government spending review towards the end of June.

Mr Djanogly said: “I was very pleased to hear the Minister acknowledge, so strongly, that the current system is unfair and I believe that he now has a better understanding how particularly poorly the current system works for Cambridgeshire.

“Clearly, the next few weeks are important ones, in terms of prioritisation of funding allocation, with the people at the top and so I and my colleagues have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer expressing our jointly held concerns for the funding of Cambridgeshire schools.

“I would encourage anyone else who feel strongly on this issue to do likewise.”