Boris Johnson has vowed to increase spending on education. (Image: GETTY)
It has been reported Mr Johnson will look to spend £5000 at least on every secondary school pupil in the United Kingdom. Citing the Brexit campaign as evidence of a divided Britain, Mr Johnson argued some parts of the country, such as Cambridgeshire, saw just £4,200 per pupil spent but parts of London saw spending at £6,800 per pupil. Mr Johnson acknowledged the capital saw different needs, costs and challenges, but said he would look to increase spending across the board.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he said: “Of course there are special and extra costs of living in the capital, and London schools, which face unique challenges, deserve that recognition and a helping hand.
"But I pledge significantly to improve the level of per-pupil funding so that thousands of schools get much more per pupil – and to protect that funding in real terms.
"We need to boost the capabilities and ambition of all our schools; and no, that does not mean that every child should be destined for university – far from it.”
Stating that funding for further education had not “kept up with schools”, Mr Johnson emphasised a post-Brexit Britain had to make sure this did not happen as he believes the economy would generate jobs “that simply do not require a university education” and it would be important to make sure the system is equipped to develop the skills required for these jobs.
Mr Johnson wrote: “It is still the case that if you grow up in one of the poorer or more deprived regions of this country, you are far less likely to go to a Russell Group university.
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Mr Johnson is currently the favourite to win the leadership contest according to bookmakers (Image: GETTY)
"And that means you will be less likely to get a job in one
