Nov 27, 2022, Belfast Telegraph: Budget ‘calamity’ may close schools: union https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/budget-calamity-may-close-schools-union-42177696.html
The Department of Education has said it will take time to access the impact of the Secretary of State’s budget announcement, but has warned that the funding pressures will have “significant implications” for years to come.
Chris Heaton-Harris singled out education as one sector where spending cuts will need to be made going forward, saying there would need to be “significant cuts to its current spending trajectory”.
The department responded saying: “With the growing level of funding pressures the Education sector is facing year on year, the cumulative impact of the funding decisions that will need to be taken across the sector will undoubtedly have significant implications for children and young people in our schools and other education services, both this year and beyond.
“While the announcement of the 2022-23 budget provides the Department with clarity over the financial resources available for the remainder of this financial year, some very difficult decisions will have to be taken,” the Department continued.
“The detail of the Secretary of State’s announcement is currently being worked through and all budget holders, including schools, will be advised of their allocations as quickly as possible.
“The 2022-23 Budget will enable the Department to provide some additional funding in the current financial year to address rising energy costs and support other inescapable pressures like Special Educational Needs.”
The new budget details, presented by the Secretary of State in the absence of a functioning Assembly, have been widely criticised by teaching unions.
