The Lancaster MP says investment in education is key to economic growth, as she questioned the government in parliament about the matter this week.
Cat Smith raised the plight of Scorton and Calder Vale Primary Schools, citing statistics claiming the majority of Lancashire’s schools faced funding cuts in 2023.
Speaking in the Commons earlier this week, Cat Smith said: ‘’The Headteacher at Scorton and Calder Vale schools, told me that budgets are stretched as we have to pay for a lot of additional services that larger urban schools can provide in house, for example having to hire a village hall for PE, and hiring taxis to deliver meals to school as they have no kitchen.
‘’So, what would the Deputy Prime Minister advise to my headteacher?''
The Deputy PM, Dominic Raab, replied: ‘’Can I say to the Honourable Lady that we’re sympathetic to the challenges all schools face.
‘’She should stand assured that we are the top spenders as a percentage of GDP in the G7 in primary and secondary education, and standards that matter to pupils and parents, with schools rated Good or Outstanding from 68% in 2010 to 87% today.’’
In a statement, Ms Smith added: ‘’Without investing in our children and their education you can’t be realistic about growing the economy.
‘’But also, they only get one chance of school so when schools are having to lose teaching assistants, cut back on trips or even lay off teachers and drop subjects, how is that fair?
In today’s Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced measures to protect and increase the government’s school budget, pledging an additional £2.3 billion per annum for the next two years.
Mr Hunt also thanked all staff for what he described as their ‘brilliant work in difficult circumstances’, which was why he said he was investing ‘more in a service that defines all of our futures’.


Dropped kerbs in Lancaster will "make a real and meaningful difference to people's lives"
LISTEN: Ice cream day held to remember figurehead of Lancaster hospice
Morecambe cheerleaders backflip their way to double international gold
LISTEN: How you can help save vital Lancaster animal shelter
Calls for Lancaster restaurant to lose licence over use of illegal workers and unpaid fines
New era beckons for Morecambe pub after 18 years of Lancaster Brewery ownership
Morecambe West End Pride in Place Board holds inaugural meeting
Plaque unveiled to officially name carved owls known as 'Guardians of Carnforth'
Public urged to be vigilant about counterfeit currency in Lancashire
Reminder as every-three-weeks bin collections due to start soon
Climate change and Local Government Reorganisation talks to be held in Lancaster
Plans to spend £72m on roads after Reform UK sets first Lancashire County Council budget
Digital bus timetables installed in Morecambe and Heysham
£1.5 million funding will empower ‘Our Bay Our Future’ to grow green jobs
Police issue warning over ‘urban exploring’ of abandoned buildings in Lancaster
Dispersal order in place after up to 50 youths brawl in Morecambe town centre
Life-saving kit handed to Morecambe FC after Manchester Arena inquiry
"Big difference" as new food recycling scheme rollout continues in Lancaster and Morecambe area
Crews tackle wheelie bin fire in Lancaster
Tory's speech likened to "ramblings of Donald Trump" as Lancaster City Council sets budget

