Schools will lose staff, warn disappointed headteachers

Headteachers voiced their disappointment, saying that the Budget had failed to take action to stave off threats of teacher redundancies this summer.

Gordon Brown confirmed spending on education would rise from £45bn to £57.8bn in 2005-06. But he failed to listen to headteachers' demands for extra cash to meet the cost of higher national insurance and pension contributions, as well as above-inflation salary rises.

Union leaders have had reports that schools in many parts of the country will have to lay off staff this summer.

David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "The problem we face is that there is an enormous gap between performance and delivery.

"It really is essential that the Government understands that schools took one hell of a hit this year, largely as a result of its decision to raise the cost of pensions and national insurance very dramatically.

"I think the Government is going to have to produce some extra money this year to compensate schools for the totally unforeseen and major cost pressures they have to face."

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, added: "The budget situation in many secondary schools is disastrous, with six-figure deficits reported in many parts of the country."