Meg welcomes extra cash for schools

Hackney’s school children are to get a cash boost from the government. Every primary school in Hackney is to get an extra £200 per pupil and every secondary school an extra £225 per pupil, the Chancellor Gordon Brown announced yesterday.

In his pre-budget report on Wednesday, the Chancellor has promised to increase spending on education. Schools will receive direct payments for head teachers to spend on whatever they feel is best for pupils. In addition, every 5 year old starting primary school will receive free books and every 11 year old starting secondary school will get a book voucher.

Meg said, “While Hackney schools have improved a great deal in recent years this extra cash boost is really welcome. When I visit schools I see how so many have innovative approaches to raising achievements and this cash will help them still more.”

There is good news for families too. From next year the child element of the child tax credit will increase by £80 giving more support to the 4,000 families – 7,300 children – in Hackney South and Shoreditch. And pregnant women will now be eligible for Child Benefit in the late stages of their pregnancy.

Meg said, “It can be an expensive time when preparing for a new baby, particularly first borns. This will be a real boost.”