THE battle to secure a fairer deal for Worcestershire's cash-strapped schools has taken another step forward.

Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford will publish proposals to replace the existing "unfair" funding formula by the summer.

This will ensure the Government scraps the local government finance system by November, when next year's budgets are announced.

The pledge was made at a seminar for MPs from the worst-funded counties, including Worcester's Mike Foster.

"There's no promise of a quick fix, but we're getting closer to seeing new funding arrangements," said Mr Foster. "The old system was complex, unfair, based on outdated information, contained perverse incentives and had lost the confidence of the people who used it.

"Worcestershire has a chance to make a strong and united case for a better deal. It's our duty to ensure we do what we can to get this."