NINE in 10 English schools have lost over £5 billion in education spending over the past three years.

New figures released by the Schools Cuts Coalition show that there has been a shortfall in funding of approximately £5.4 billion since 2015.

The gap is believed to have affected 91 per cent of all schools in England.

In Byker, one of the most disadvantaged areas of Newcastle, the local primary school has lost £432,842 – an average of £408 per student.

Similar statistics can be found across northern England and the Midlands.

However, in Theresa May’s constituency of Maidenhead, Oldfield Primary School has only lost £23,688, representing a real-term gain of £28 for each student.

NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “This is an intolerable situation.

“Children and young people are being short-changed by a government that believes education can be run on a shoestring. This situation cannot go on.

“There needs to be a reversal of cuts to school budgets since 2010 and for the funding of schools and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision to be of a level that ensures all children and young people get the education they deserve.”

GMB national secretary Rehana Azam, whose union represents scores of school staff, said: “Low-paid support staff are regularly dipping into their own pockets so children can have food, stationery and even sanitary products.

“Schools have been pushed to breaking point.

“The smoke and mirrors of ministerial spin do not disguise the reality that kids’ free school meals are being cut further by this government.”

The school cuts coalition also includes Unite, Unison, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT).