WEST DEVON and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox was dismayed after learning about new broadband costs for schools.

On recent visits to local schools to meet headteachers, teaching staff and governors, Mr Cox learned that due to changes in funding allowances, schools may pay up to £8,000 per year for their broadband internet packages out of their own capital.

In the past, schools were given a grant through their local authority, but Mr Cox learned that due to a change in rules, schools will not receive a specific grant to pay for broadband and are currently unable to use money earmarked by the Government to provide for computer hardware, the harnessing technology grant.

Mr Cox said: 'The cost for a small rural school is likely to be around £6,000 per year, the equivalent of a part-time teaching assistant.

'Unfortunately, it is clear that in many cases there will have to be reductions in teaching staff because school budgets are already severely over-stretched.

'This blow to local schools further accentuates the financial disadvantage of Devon school children who receive £410 less in government funding than the average English pupil.

'The additional cost of broadband is clearly another severe blow to rural education.'

Mr Cox has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Ed Balls, urging him to amend the rules to allow schools to use the harnessing technology grant to pay for broadband.