FIGURES which show disadvantaged children in West Devon and Torridge are set to receive £536,000 this year under the Government's new 'pupil premium' have been welcomed by Geoffrey Cox MP.

The pupil premium is a new policy promised by both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats before the general election last year. It is an extra lump sum of cash which follows every disadvantaged child and is received by schools, allowing them to provide additional support. In West Devon and Torridge this year, 1,207 children will benefit from an extra £519,010 and 84 armed services children will benefit from an extra £16,800.

Mr Cox said: 'This is fantastic news for children in West Devon and Torridge. The gap between the academic performance of children from deprived backgrounds and their peers is far too big and has been ignored for too long.'