RURAL schools in Cumbria face uncertainty over future funding plans, South Lakes MP Tim Farron told a conference yesterday.

He said the country will soon have a new Prime Minister, and it is not clear whether he or she will press ahead with plans to increase funding for rural schools.

In a speech to the Cumbrian Association of Secondary Head Teachers at Bowness, Mr Farron highlighted the uncertainty about future funding for schools. The current government has plans to change the way schools are funded, to give rural schools a fairer deal.

However, it is unclear what will happen to the current government’s plans, given that the government will have a new leader within months.

The government’s plans to force schools to become academies could also be changed or delayed under a new government, Mr Farron added.

“For some politicians the current leadership contests are almost a game, but for those in charge of our schools they are a real threat," said Mr Farron.

“Head teachers currently don’t know whether the next government will push ahead with plans to give more funding to rural schools, or whether these plans will be changed, delayed or scrapped.

“For the sake of our children and young people, schools need to be told what they can expect so they can plan ahead. Our area has excellent schools and committed teachers, but they must be told what is going on.”