THE Government’s new education funding formula leaves York in the unenviable position of being placed bottom of the national pile when it comes to average per pupil funding.

The fact that York schools, on average, received an increase and moved into bottom position offers an indication of not only how bad the previous funding settlement served the education of York children and young people, but also how badly the new formula does too.

As parents we see our local schools cutting teaching assistants and cutting the time teachers are able to spend on development (which enhances the teaching experience they can offer), to name but two of the areas impacting the education offer in York.

So quite how Julian Sturdy can view our position at the bottom of the national league table in funding for schools a “victory” is anyone’s guess.

He is supposed to be one of two York representatives in Parliament arguing York’s case, not welcoming what is evidently a shockingly bad deal for York pupils, both present and future.

I would like to see both Mr Sturdy and this Conservative-led coalition council standing up for York and telling the Government that this funding settlement is unacceptable.

Cllr Jonny Crawshaw (Lab), Wentworth Road, York