LABOUR councillors have pledged to support a coalition of parents, unions and teachers to fight for more funding for local schools.

Members of the Labour group at Swindon Borough Council agreed that if elected on May 2 they will call on the chancellor and education secretary to reverse cuts to schools in their ward.

Councillor Carol Shelley, Labour spokesperson for children’s services, said: "Swindon Schools remain some of the lowest funded in the country despite years of promises by this Tory government to address fair funding.

"Less money has resulted in job loses for staff and fewer resources to help children learn in the classroom. The school funding crisis is damaging outcomes for Swindon children and young people."

Debbie Brown, secretary of Swindon for the National Education Union, added: "Everyone who works in education or has school age children will have noticed the effects of the funding crisis.

"From parents being asked to pay for basic resources, to teachers and support staff reaching in to their own pockets for stationary and books to pupils in over-crowded classes, with decreasing access to support and interventions, the funding crisis is something that effects everyone in education.

"We believe that we need to build a well funded, fit-for-purpose education service that ensures the absolute best start for our young people.

"It is brilliant to see that vision being shared by parents, and now local councillors and candidates."

Data obtained by the School Cuts campaign group alleges that Swindon schools have missed out on £20.4 million - the difference between funding and the amount needed to protect per pupil funding in real terms -between 2015-2019, a loss of £245 per pupil.

The NEU Swindon branch and Swindon Fair Funding for All Schools group have arranged a public meeting at Lainesmead Primary school at 7pm on April 24.

Becky Poole, a local parent and education campaigner, will speak alongside Mike Welsh, head teacher at Goddard Park Primary School, Kiri Tunks, president of the National Education Union.

Also speaking is Sarah Church, Labour parliamentary candidate for South Swindon who said: "I stand in full support of parents and teachers who are campaigning for better funding for our schools. It is simply unacceptable to short change our children by over £20m of cuts in Swindon along."

Becky told the Adver: "Our Children are our future and will help contribute to the running of the British economy and our town. They simply should not be denied an education, excluded, denied school trips, and not given teaching assistant support due to lack of funds.

"If we don't look after our local children who will look after our town, local businesses and health services?

"I call on the government to understand the impact and stop further funding cuts. Now is the time to stand up for your children."

Responding, Robert Buckland MP said: “It is a bit rich for the Labour Party to talk about Fairer Funding – in the 13 years they were in office they did nothing to address Fairer Funding and Labour MPs continue to oppose our plans to introduce it. Since 2010, core school funding in Swindon is up by more than £16 million a year in addition to a total of £48 million of targeted funding for disadvantaged pupils in Swindon. The UK Statistics Authority has contacted the School Cuts campaign to ask them to address flaws & inaccuracies within the way in which they calculate their figures.”