A funding gap in the borough’s schools’ budget is a “matter of real concern”, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for finance has warned.

A budget update report shows the council is set to spend £5.1 million more than it is receiving from the Government to fund schools in the current financial year.

This is “a serious issue” and “presents a significant risk to the authority if not resolved at a national level”, the report adds.

The overspend is in the dedicated schools grant (DSG) – a pot of money ringfenced for schools that is separate from the council’s general fund.

Councillors discussed the budget update at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (December 10).

Cllr Charles Adje (Labour, White Hart Lane), cabinet member for finance and strategic regeneration, told the meeting: “This is a matter of real concern, and pressure needs to be put on government to recognise this issue and come forward with a sustainable solution.”

The DSG overspend is partly due to pressure on the high needs funding block, which is set aside to help children with special education needs and disabilities who require extra support.

A rise in the number of pupils eligible for education, health and care plans has contributed to this pressure.

Teaching unions have warned the Government has been underfunding schools since 2010, with money pledged for education failing to match rising costs.

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, per-pupil spending in England’s schools dropped by eight per cent between 2010 and 2018.

The council report also shows its general fund budget overspend is currently forecast at £5.2 million – significantly below the £15.9 million overspend reported in the same period in the previous financial year.

Cllr Adje said this was due to ensuring the decisions taken when setting this year’s budget were “as realistic as possible”.

But he also called for efforts to bring the budget back to a balanced position by the end of the financial year.