THE Government’s refusal to change the way schools are funded until after the next general election has come as a blow for campaigners and local MPs.

Furious parent Helen Donovan said it was wrong for the Government to admit the formula it uses to fund schools was unfair – but then not make changes.

Worcestershire is one of the authorities within the f40 campaign group, a group of authorities which believe they are being unfairly funded.

Campaigners – including Worcestershire’s Conservative MPs – have argued that the county receives £482 less per child per year than the national average.

However, the Government said it could not make changes because of the need to maintain stability for schools in the current economy.

Mrs Donovan, a parent from Evesham, said: “They said it was unfair.

"So what are they going to do about it?

“We know it’s not fair to take money off and redistribute it but our children have been affected for far too long as it is. We have waited for 18 years for a fair deal.”

Campaigners say the underlying problems mean the situation is worsening year on year.

"The gap between pupils in the county and those a few miles away in Birmingham is now three times wider than it was in 1998.

Mrs Donovan said campaigners would fight on.

However, she said: “What’s the point of having five MPs fighting on our behalf if the people at the top won’t listen to them?”

Worcester MP Robin Walker has championed the cause, making it a key element of his maiden speech and tabling an Early Day Motion.

He said: “There is some positive news in terms of the information that will be published in the future that will give greater transparency of funding.

“It gives people like me a better opportunity to push the argument but I’m very disappointed the Government hasn’t adjusted funding between authorities.”

He said the Government felt it would be “incredibly harmful” for authorities to have money taken away when overall funding in education is flat.

However, he said: “I don’t agree with that. In an atmosphere of flat cash, the need for fairer funding is greater.

“We have been missing out for too long.” He vowed to continue to campaign.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, who has also backed the campaign, said: “It is a great shame that this process seems to be so protracted although at least the statement suggests an intention to change.

“I know that a group of county MPs is planning to meet the Department for Education next month and I hope that we will have better news after that meeting.”