SCHOOLS in Leeds are facing a £20.8 million funding shortfall, according to a Labour parliamentary candidate.

Pudsey candidate Jamie Hanley says the shortfall – equivalent to 510 teaching posts – from September this year until July 2017, is because the government is refusing to make any commitment on increased inflation and staffing costs.

He said: “Earlier this week, I visited a school in the Pudsey constituency and discussed this appalling funding crisis with concerned staff.

“A large high school in Leeds will have extra costs of more than £250,000 and the cost to a large primary school in Leeds will be £40,000 a year unless this government make a commitment to provide extra funding.

“The school budgets are being devastated here in Leeds by a government that is basically taxing school children.

“Increased pension and National Insurance contributions will cost Leeds schools £13.8 million in the next two years and inflation will cost seven million pounds for the same period.”

But Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew, Conservative, said: “This is yet another case of scaremongering, which is typical of the Labour Party. Since 2010, more than £84.6 million has been invested into school places in Leeds.

“The government is committed to flat cash per pupil and this is broadly equivalent to a real terms protection.

“In 2015-16, £390 million will be distributed to local authorities. I would have thought that the Labour candidate would join everyone in welcoming this investment.”