DEVIZES headteacher Phil Bevan has welcomed news that the Government is to increase spending on schools by £1.3 billion.

It was announced this week by education secretary Justine Greening that the extra money would be added to the education budget after a campaign by teachers and MPs for Fairer Funding.

Devizes MP Claire Perry has also spoken of her pleasure at the increase. She said: "I am delighted by the commitment to Fairer Funding, having been campaigning for a better deal for Wiltshire schools since before I was elected in 2010.

"Helping all schools across the Devizes constituency to be rated good’ or outstanding is one of my local campaigning priorities, and I know how much this additional funding will help achieve this goal. I look forward to working with Wiltshire Council and local headteachers once further details are announced in September.”

Mr Bevan said: "We welcome the announcement on the boost to increased funding. We also look forward to the detail in the work on Fairer Funding because Wiltshire Schools have been amongst the worst funded in the country for a long time. We have appreciated Claire Perry's consistent support on campaigning to address this issue."

The Government says the £1.3 billion will deliver the biggest improvement to the school funding system for more than a decade. Ms Perry said: "This additional funding will mean an increase in the basic amount that every pupil will get so that we can continue to raise standards to give every child the best possible education and opportunities for their future."