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News Article - 19th December 2011 - "Carlisle MP Welcomes Increase to Pupil Premium..."

John Stevenson MP for Carlisle has welcomed the announcement by the Department for Education to increase the amount spent on the Pupil Premium.

The Government believes that the Pupil Premium,　which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and their wealthier peers.

Michael Gove has announced that next year (2012-13) the Pupil Premium will double from £625million to £1.25billion and rise to £2.5billion by 2014-15. In addition, eligibility for Pupil Premium will be extended to pupils who have been entitled to free school meals at any point in the last 6 years and the amount per child will rise from £488 to £600.

Over the past term, John has visited a number of primary schools in his Carlisle constituency and has seen the benefits which the Pupil Premium brings to schools.

John said ‘I have seen firsthand examples of where the Pupil Premium has been used in schools across Carlisle to improve the learning and attainment of children whose education is supported by this premium.

Education is a fundamental part of any child’s upbringing and I welcome that the Government has acknowledged this and has created even greater provisions for children to receive the support which they require.’

The Government is urging those parents who are entitled to free school meals to claim them, to allow their child’s school to benefit from their full entitlement of Pupil Premium.

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