SPENDING will be increased in Lancashire's schools next year.

Primary and secondary schools will benefit from a rise of at least five per cent in funding, following an initial review of spending plans by Lancashire County Council's education and cultural services committee.

The report also highlights that schools will receive a further £4.5 million, to reflect a further delegation of responsibilities.

Lancashire's education and cultural services chairman, Councillor Hazel Harding, said: "This is the first time we have been able to predict an increase in money for schools at such an early stage. Obviously the exact amounts going into schools will depend very much on pupil numbers but I am sure that heads and governors will welcome this very good news.

"I hope very much that with careful financial management the final increase will be more than five per cent and that we will be able to particularly target the primary schools and Key Stage 2 work if there is more cash available.

"The early promise of more resources is a result of the county council moving to a three-year plan for financial management which also includes a need for services to seek out possible efficiency savings."

Schools will receive at least £21.2 million on top of the usual £333.7 million available for funds next year.

The increase for each individual school will depend on pupil numbers and changes in council delegation arrangements.

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