FAIRER funding campaigners for Worcestershire schools are crossing their fingers ahead of a Government announcement today.

The Department for Education and Skills is expected to indicate how cash will be shared out under a new funding scheme to come into force next year.

As disclosed by the Worcester News last month, Ministers are axing the Leadership Incentive Grant, which benefits only one in 10 Worcestershire schools.

This is to be replaced from 2006/7 by the dedicated schools grant, which is expected to distribute cash more evenly throughout the country.

Ahead of any announcement of the details, Worc-ester MP Michael Foster has urged the Education Secre-tary Ruth Kelly to alter its own distribution formula.

At education questions in the Commons, Mr Foster asked: "When my right honourable friend makes chan-ges to the dedicated school grant, may I urge her not to use the current area cost adjustment methodology?

"Not only is it deeply flawed, but it disadvantages every pupil in Worcester-shire."

Ms Kelly hinted that Redditch MP Jacqui Smith, the new Schools Minister, had been beating the drum for Worcestershire.

She said: "I can hear the Schools Minister making known her views on the issue. She is familiar with schools in Worcestershire and their funding needs."

But Ms Kelly added that Worcestershire MPs would have to be patient.

"I congratulate the Worcester MP on the work that he has done in pursuing the case of Worcestershire, along with others in the F40 group.

"He will have to be a little more patient until the Schools Minister has the privilege of announcing the results of the consultation exercise.

"I hope my honourable friend will not have to wait very long."

FAIRER funding campaigners for Worcestershire schools are crossing their fingers ahead of a Government announcement today.

The Department for Education and Skills is expected to indicate how cash will be shared out under a new funding scheme to come into force next year.

As disclosed by the Worcester News last month, Ministers are axing the Leadership Incentive Grant, which benefits only one in 10 Worcestershire schools.

This is to be replaced from 2006/7 by the dedicated schools grant, which is expected to distribute cash more evenly throughout the country.

Ahead of any announcement of the details, Worc-ester MP Michael Foster has urged the Education Secre-tary Ruth Kelly to alter its own distribution formula.

At education questions in the Commons, Mr Foster asked: "When my right honourable friend makes chan-ges to the dedicated school grant, may I urge her not to use the current area cost adjustment methodology?

"Not only is it deeply flawed, but it disadvantages every pupil in Worcester-shire."

Ms Kelly hinted that Redditch MP Jacqui Smith, the new Schools Minister, had been beating the drum for Worcestershire.

She said: "I can hear the Schools Minister making known her views on the issue. She is familiar with schools in Worcestershire and their funding needs."

But Ms Kelly added that Worcestershire MPs would have to be patient.

"I congratulate the Worcester MP on the work that he has done in pursuing the case of Worcestershire, along with others in the F40 group.

"He will have to be a little more patient until the Schools Minister has the privilege of announcing the results of the consultation exercise.

"I hope my honourable friend will not have to wait very long."