ST HELENS North MP Conor McGinn has accused the government of trying to "short-change" schools in response to figures released by a teachers' union following the new education funding formula.

Mr McGinn called on ministers to give the area's schools a “fair deal” after the statistics compiled by the National Union of Teachers claimed St Helens could lose more than £7 million in education cash by 2020.

According to figures compiled by union, the new funding will mean St Helens will be worse off by more than £7 million by 2019/20 compared to 2015/16.

Unions say the borough will see all schools worse off with an average cut per pupil of around seven per cent, with some schools cut up to 11 per cent.

The NUT estimates the combination of a new funding formula and cost increases means that 98 per cent of all schools will be worse off in 2019/20.

Labour MP Mr McGinn said: “The Tory Government promised before the election that school budgets would be protected, but that’s clearly not true.

“It looks like they are trying to short-change the children, parents, dedicated teachers, teaching assistants and support staff in St Helens schools with this new funding formula.

“I will continue to fight hard to get the best possible deal for schools in St Helens North when it comes to getting the funding they need.”

The government says its National Funding Formula will see less money for big cities and bigger budgets for schools in suburbs and shires, with Education Secretary Justine Greening saying it would resolve unfair and inconsistent funding levels.

A Department for Education spokesman refuted the union’s claims and told the Star the formula will see St Helens schools receive increased funding and end a “postcode lottery”.

The spokesman added: “Under the proposed national schools funding formula, more than half of England’s schools will receive a cash boost in 2018-19.

"This will help create a system that funds schools according to the needs of their pupils rather than their postcode.”