2025 spending review: NGA comments on school funding

A much-welcomed investment in our children's future – but the push for fair funding continues.

Today marks a significant moment for the education sector. In Westminster, the Chancellor delivered the outcome of the spending review, delivering news that will bring a genuine sense of relief to NGA members across the country who have been spending much of the last year emphasising to NGA the many impossible financial decisions they face.

The announcement of £4.5bn more for core school budgets by 2028-29 reflects a real-terms increase that will lift per-pupil funding to record levels, and crucially, provide new capital investment to help tackle the emergency of disrepair in school buildings.

In an era of tight public finances and competing priorities, the Chancellor has chosen to significantly invest in education, as NGA, along with many colleagues across the sector,  including through the joint endeavor of the Schools cuts campaign, have consistently been making the case that the financial position of a staggering number of schools and trusts had reached new levels of instability. 

Emma Balchin, NGA Chief Executive, said:
This victory belongs to everyone who refused to stay silent.  For many, many months, NGA has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our members, the profession, parents and pupils, and the wider school community, all united in one powerful message: our schools were reaching breaking point. Today, that collective voice has been heard, and at least some progress will be made to rectifying previous injustices of seeing school funding fall in real terms over many years.

NGA is genuinely delighted that in an era where every pound is scrutinised and competing demands are fierce, education has been recognised as the priority it should always be. This government has chosen to make difficult spending decisions in order to back our children's future, and that deserves real recognition.

But we also have to be honest – this is a vital first step, not the finish line. While today brings much-needed breathing space and the precious gift of certainty for planning ahead, school boards will still face tough choices. The financial pressures that have built up over years won't disappear overnight.

For now, though, I do want to put on record that NGA applauds both the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for going some way to championing our cause. However, it would be remiss for me to not point to a very alarming picture in the horizon that is already starting to impact many. The limited resources, even with this much-needed injection, in the face of dramatically falling pupil numbers, is an alarm bell that is gathering more and more traction. NGA therefore remains steadfast in our commitment to advocating for a long-term plan for sustainable financial support for schools and trusts, ensuring, whatever the size or context of the school, that our young people receive the investment they deserve."