Thursday, 30 Oct 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • VIDEO
  • House
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Education > Reform-run Kent council plans £2m school budget raid
Education

Reform-run Kent council plans £2m school budget raid

Last updated: October 9, 2025 9:07 pm
Share
Reform-run Kent council plans £2m school budget raid
SHARE

Local leaders express concerns that suggested funding cuts clash with pre-election commitments aimed at pinpointing efficiencies and decreases akin to Musk’s DOGE initiative.

Local leaders express concerns that suggested funding cuts clash with pre-election commitments aimed at pinpointing efficiencies and decreases akin to Musk’s DOGE initiative.

The Reform UK-run council in Kent is looking to siphon £2 million from the already strained budgets of schools to cover essential services which have become unsustainable, inciting anxiety over potential further cuts to classroom funding.

Officials claim that these funding adjustments contradict Reform’s election pledges that promised to find efficiency savings through a pilot initiative resembling Elon Musk’s DOGE unit.

The party also acknowledged this week that there’s a strong possibility of increasing council tax for local residents.

Daniel KebedeCouncil evaluates services for maintained schools

Kent, the largest council in England, has traditionally leaned on council tax revenues to support various services accessible to its maintained schools.

Documentation from the authority indicates a decision to scrutinize the funding to guarantee that it was not inadvertently favoring maintained schools in comparison to academies.

Council officials highlighted that this subsidy was not being provided to academy-controlled primary and secondary schools, which constitute roughly half of the local education landscape and serve two-thirds of the student body.

The council is proposing to increase its financial cut from maintained schools by slightly over £2.2 million to fund services that are presently subsidized. These services encompass statutory compliance testing, including asbestos management, fire safety, and health advice.

Additionally, Kent aims to discontinue its in-house occupational health services, which would save close to £345,000, requiring schools to source this support independently.

See also  Radio talk show host running for City Council on Staten Island latest target by far-left vandals comparing Republicans to Nazis

Kebede pointed out that Kent’s schools have faced severe impacts from 15 years of austerity, with NEU analysis indicating that four-fifths of schools now have £126 million less spending capacity compared to 2010.

Schools oppose the proposals

Documents reveal that nearly 60 percent of schools rejected the plans to allocate funds for statutory compliance testing and evaluations.

Critics cited budgetary worries and a belief that schools ought to commission these services independently.

While 48 percent of schools supported acquiring occupational health advice and support as needed, 41 percent were against it. A higher percentage of schools expressed disagreement with the other funding proposals.

Kent officials remarked that critics generally fit into two categories.

Some believed school leaders should have the freedom to purchase what they need rather than having a service imposed, while others argued that the council must bear the costs since schools cannot manage this financial drain.

The council noted that many schools lack the budget, expertise, or personnel to self-manage these essential services, particularly in the primary sector. Meanwhile, an opt-in system would only add to schools’ expenses.

Maintained schools cannot choose providers

Academy consultant Lucia Glynn remarked that Kent’s issues reflect challenges faced nationwide, with nearly all local authorities compelled to diminish services for schools.

However, she added, “Academies have the flexibility to choose from available options, while maintained schools do not. Some local authority services are not up to a satisfactory standard.”

The proposed changes require endorsement from the county’s schools forum next month before their anticipated launch in April. If the forum rejects the plans, the council might escalate the issue to the education secretary.

See also  Is Being Pied in the Face Considered “Other Duties As Assigned”?

Kent had conceded last year that it lacked the budget to extend school improvement assistance. Consequently, schools in the region must now fund the necessary support themselves, with specific aid for struggling institutions being withdrawn entirely.

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association conveyed that the financial hurdles confronting councils have led to service cuts, while also recognizing that schools face significant budget constraints.

“This underlines the urgency for councils to receive adequate funding in the autumn budget to fulfill their educational responsibilities effectively,” they emphasized.

Reform opted not to provide additional comments.

Council argues that changes are not unprecedented

The party previously asserted that its DOGE team, led by policy chief Zia Yusuf, had discovered that over £24,000 was spent on activities like trampolining, bowling, and cinema outings for asylum seekers.

Yusuf had stated: “Reform is dedicated to safeguarding taxpayer interests.”

A Kent spokesperson clarified that the adjustments are “not new” and are a response to national policy shifts that have led to a gradual decrease in council budgets for educational services, aligning with practices in the academy sector.

The authority is facing mounting financial strain from rising expenses, escalating demands for adult and children’s social care services, and insufficient government and local tax funding.

They added: “In order to establish a balanced budget, the council must implement savings and concentrate expenditure on its primary objectives.”

Latest education roles from


Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

See also  ICE-led raid at South Shore apartment complex follows Venezuelan gang murder inside - CWB Chicago

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Your thoughts

Subscribe

Become a subscriber and stay up to date with the latest breaking news and industry discussion.

Find out more

TAGGED:budgetCouncilKentPlansraidReformrunSchool
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Oracle Sinks on Report Its Cloud Margins Are Lower Than Expected Oracle Sinks on Report Its Cloud Margins Are Lower Than Expected
Next Article 10-year-old Texas girl said bullies chopped her hair off — it all turned out to be a hoax 10-year-old Texas girl said bullies chopped her hair off — it all turned out to be a hoax
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

NYC boy, 13, clinging to life after being shot in head outside Queens Dunkin’ Donuts

In a tragic event unfolding this Monday morning, a 13-year-old boy sustained a serious head…

September 22, 2025

Why You Need the “Shorten It” Hack To Reduce Student Stress

Are you familiar with the look of stress and anxiety on a young learner's face…

March 12, 2025

FEMA fixes are now in jeopardy : NPR

Homes destroyed by a 2020 wildfire in Talent, Ore. FEMA denied about 70% of assistance…

June 5, 2025

Netflix’s Ted Sarandos Calls for Rivals to Release ‘Transparent’ Data

In the world of streaming, Netflix reigns supreme. Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, proudly…

September 20, 2024

‘a great champion of global health and health equity’ : Goats and Soda : NPR

David Nabarro, the World Health Organization Special Envoy for COVID-19 Prevention and Response, was recognized…

July 26, 2025

You Might Also Like

Cops decapitate teen gangster and display head like ‘trophy’ in Brazil’s deadliest drug raid
Crime

Cops decapitate teen gangster and display head like ‘trophy’ in Brazil’s deadliest drug raid

October 30, 2025
100 Interesting Writing Prompts for High School
Education

100 Interesting Writing Prompts for High School

October 30, 2025
Deal of the Day: Get 10% off Tempo Meals
Education

Deal of the Day: Get 10% off Tempo Meals

October 30, 2025
“We have finished preparations for the release of a full-length album and are waiting”- ADOR responds following lawsuit win and NewJeans’ appeal plans
Sports

“We have finished preparations for the release of a full-length album and are waiting”- ADOR responds following lawsuit win and NewJeans’ appeal plans

October 30, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?