East Sussex County Council bosses today attacked Government claims that they are deliberately withholding cash for schools.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke said Tory-controlled East Sussex was holding back £1.4 million.

But council education bosses reacted angrily to the suggestion, saying the cash would be allocated in the coming months following talks with schools.

They are now writing to Mr Clarke, saying they have given more than what the Government suggested to schools.

Councillor Rupert Simmons, Cabinet member for education, said: "Even though we had an appalling funding settlement from the Government, we still have exceeded the Government's own target of how much we should be giving to schools by £1.4 million.

"Our planned expenditure on education reveals that we will spend £3.7 million more than the Government say we should.

"The money that Mr Clarke has identified as held back in East Sussex is being allocated to schools over the coming months.

"This process is done, as it has been for many years, in full consultation and with the support of schools and governing bodies.

"It is clear to me that Mr Clarke and his Government are just trying to blame someone else for their own mistakes."