BRADFORD Council will today approve a “difficult” budget for the district’s schools.

Last month the Bradford School Forum decided on a budget that would divert some money from mainstream schools to help fund more special school places.

Their proposals, which follow the announcement of a new government schools funding formula, will be finalised by the Council’s Executive at today’s meeting.

In total, members will be asked to approve the allocation of £523.3million to schools in the district for the 2017/18 academic year.

Councillor Imran Khan (pictured), Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: “Schools around the country are being hit with a real-terms funding cut of eight per cent per pupil by 2020 because of rising costs which are not being met by the Government.

“We are passionate about raising standards in Bradford, but our efforts will not be helped by significant real terms cuts to the budgets of our schools.”