I believe the current school funding arrangements are unfair and outdated. They are based on an historic and opaque postcode lottery that is so inconsistent that it can put similar children in similar schools at an unfair education disadvantage. The reforms to the funding system will balance fairness and stability for schools and will build on the rising school standards delivered since 2010.
 
It was a manifesto commitment to end the historic postcode lottery that created huge differences in funding between similar schools in different parts of the country and I am pleased that we are delivering on it. Indeed, I am particularly encouraged by the £1.3 billion boost for core school funding, meaning school funding will rise from almost £41 billion this year to £42.4 billion in 2018/19 and £43.5 billion by 2019/20. This comes as we transition to a national funding formula, and I welcome the fact that the new formula will maintain overall per pupil funding in real terms for the next two years. 
 
The new national funding formula will increase the basic amount allocated for every pupil and will allocate a minimum per pupil funding level for both secondary and primary schools to target the lowest funded schools. It will provide a minimum cash increase for every school of 1 per cent per pupil by 2019-20, with the most underfunded schools seeing rises of 3 per cent per pupil in 2018-19 and 2019-20. I am also encouraged that every school will receive a lump sum of £110,000 to help with fixed costs. 
 
As a result of this funding boost, school funding will be some £2.6 billion higher in 2019-20 compared to 2017-18. Crucially, this funding has been found from within the Department for Education's budget rather than through increased taxes and more debt. I know this has required some difficult decisions but rest assured that this reflects the continued belief that funding is most valuable in the hands of head teachers.