SCHOOLS across Lancashire are set to get a multi-million pound boost after a new national funding formula was announced - but it will not be enough to cover costs, teaching unions have warned.

Education Secretary Justine Greening has confirmed the new formula which will see a 2.8 per cent increase in funding for Lancashire schools - more than £19million over two years.

However, teaching unions have warned it is not nearly enough as schools continue to face rising budgets.

The formula aims to end a historic postcode lottery which saw differences in how schools were funded across the country.

Brendan Conboy, acting headteacher at Sir John Thursby Community College in Burnley, said: “We will wait to see the detail on a school by school level. It is a sign that they are recognising the reality on the ground. It is a constant battle.

“Standstill budgets in a time of increasing costs makes it very difficult.”

Paul Trickett, head of Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School in Oswaldtwistle, said there is never enough money.

He said: “I was reading about the implementation of a pay rise for teachers with one per cent across the board found from existing funding. Where does that come from?

“Most secondary schools are running a deficit budget.

“I am in favour of a national funding formula but it has to be right and take into account the real funding issues.”

Teaching unions have been campaigning for more funding warning of reductions in staff, rising class sizes and cuts to courses as headteachers are forced to make savings.

Simon Jones, Lancashire executive member of the National Education Union, said costs are going up well beyond what the increase will provide.

He said: “In real terms, that is still a cut.

"There is still quite a lot of confusion and schools are trying to work out what it all means but the bottom line is almost everybody is losing. It is just a case of how much.”

Cllr Susie Charles, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, said: “Any increase in education spending is good news.

“This new formula is based on the characteristics of each school so our officers will now look at the detail of how individual schools across the county have fared.”

Each school will receive a one per cent per pupil by 2019/20 with the most underfunded schools receiving rises of three per cent.