Responding to the Chancellor's announcement on school funding in today's spending review, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said:

“The news that the education budget appears to have been at least protected is welcome, particularly in light of other spending decisions being announced today. Education ministers have clearly made a strong case for protecting school spending in the context of a difficult overall spending review and should be congratulated for that.

“That being said, this is not a time for celebration, and it is clear that school budgets will remain under considerable pressure for some time to come. In light of ever-increasing costs, we are already seeing signs of schools having to make cutbacks, including to staff numbers. We also know that some of the increase in funding will be absorbed by the increased free school meal costs schools will be facing after last week’s announcement.

“There is no escaping the fact that despite the funding announced in this statement, schools will be operating in a challenging financial climate for some years to come. The demands being placed on schools are constantly increasing and are expected to increase further, with the government wanting to see more pupils with special educational needs (SEND) educated in mainstream classrooms.

“As part of the welcome schools white paper due this autumn, we urge ministers to put forward a clear plan and set of proposals for the future of SEND provision in this country, and stand ready to work with the government on the details.

“It is positive that the Chancellor recognised that many school buildings are unfit for purpose after years of under-funding under previous governments, and the increases in capital funding announced today are welcome. However, it is clear that much more investment is going to be needed to restore the school estate to at least a satisfactory condition after years of neglect under previous governments, with the National Audit Office estimating the cost at an eye-watering £13.8bn.”