KEIGHLEY-district schools are facing a thirteen per cent Government funding cut per pupil over the next four years, union bosses claim.

The National Union of Teachers and Association of Teachers and Lecturers estimate that schools in the parliamentary constituency will see a total budget cut of just over £6 million.

According to the unions, the figure equates to a reduction of £581 per pupil per year.

But Keighley MP Kris Hopkins has blasted the information as "speculative".

He is placed 70th in a list published by the NUT and ATL of the 100 MPs whose constituencies are likely to face the most severe cuts.

"I'm afraid this campaign is an unnecessary and unfair attempt to raise fears in schools and worry parents," said Mr Hopkins.

"The NUT/ATL report concedes that their own figures do not reflect the Government's proposed fairer funding formula for schools, which is yet to be published.

"The Department for Education has asked for views on its proposals for the funding system and principles by which it will design the formula.

"Ministers will shortly outline the Government's plan for implementing the formula, including the impact on schools and local authorities.

"It will also, quite rightly, seek the views of interested parties before final decisions are made.

"I try to support the teaching unions when I can but this campaign reflects very poorly on them."

The unions have called on Chancellor Philip Hammond to "urgently address" the issue of school funding.

Their report alleges that 92 per cent of schools could face cuts in their funding per pupil in real terms over the next four years, with no local authority set to gain overall.

Kevin Courtney, for the NUT, said: "Schools cannot continue to give the education children and parents expect and deserve unless additional funding is provided.

"There is no further room to manoeuvre. Budgets have already been cut to the bone and all the sacrifices and compromises have been made.

"Schools simply cannot take another blow to already precarious finances.

"We need to invest in education. Failure to do so will be seriously letting a generation of children and young people down."

Mary Bousted, of the ATL, added: "We urge the Government to do the right thing and fund schools adequately so that they don't have to cut the subjects they teach and can pay to put a teacher in front of every class.

"Simply re-allocating the existing schools budget won't do. Virtually all schools would be worse off and it would hit the poorest children hardest."