Brentwood's respected secondary schools are facing budget deficits totaling £1.5million this year and local MP Eric Pickles claims the problems are being caused by the Government failing to back up reforms with new cash.

Mr Pickles is seeking to highlight the serious financial problems facing the borough's schools - which are recognised as some of the best in the county.

He said: "I am stunned by the financial problems they are facing thanks to the Government's grant settlement.

"The total deficit is an incredible amount between seven schools which offer secondary education - if primary schools were added to the figure that situation could be even worse.

"This is not due to the financial incompetence of our local head teachers and their governing bodies, far from it. It is due to the action of the Labour government."

Head teacher at Ingatestone's Anglo European School, Bob Reed, said the situation was extremely serious: "My understanding is that most secondary schools will use up their reserves or go into deficit due to the current situation."

He added that school's had limited room for manoeuvre as they had to meet statutory requirements: "There is simply no fat to cut from the figures."

But, a spokesman for the Department of Education said the Government was ploughing an extra £250 million in education - an increase of 11.6 per cent.

He said: "We believe the problem is caused by the money not being passed on by the LEAs - it is vital it is distributed sensibly."

Published Friday, April 25, 2003

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