Small change

Is the financial crisis in schools getting better or worse? It depends on whether you ask politicians or teachers, claims Dr Alan Marr Last month's announcement of a 4 per cent 'minimum' increase in funding for pupils next year by the education secretary, Charles Clarke, ought to be applauded. But this statement is only the latest development in the aftermath of the huge row over school budgets that has rumbled on since the DfES was engulfed in controversy at the start of the financial year.