Schools in Brighton and Hove have already started to slide down the league table for funding.

They are faced with a cash crisis after being hit by new Government funding rules which divert cash away to Labour heartlands.

Now, a ranking table published at Westminster has revealed the rule change is starting to bite.

Brighton and Hove's secondary school youngsters will receive the 60th lowest amount of the 151 education authorities in England next year - down from being 64th this year.

A total of £3,014 will be spent on each youngster in 2004/5 - up just £164.

Primary school children will get £2,284, an increase of £101.

East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council are ranked even lower, at 25th bottom and 43rd bottom respectively.

But both councils have managed to climb one place on last year, according to the tables.

In East Sussex, secondary school youngsters receive £2,923 each - up £171. Primary school children receive £2,262, compared to £2,159 this year.

West Sussex's secondary school pupils will get £2,975 next year, up £169. In primary schools, youngsters receive £2,273, up £97.

Tower Hamlets in London is top of the funding table - with secondary kids getting £4,748 next year and primary children £3,817.

Earlier this month, the Argus told how city headteachers are struggling to cope with a financial crisis.

But the Government has insisted the complicated funding rules are fair.

Monday December 15, 2003