When we inherited power back in 2010, there was a widespread appreciation that, after over a decade of Labour Government, the country needed to tighten its belts and work hard to erase the deficit (the highest in the United Kingdom’s peacetime history), and begin reducing the national debt.

During my time as an MP, I have been struck by how many local teachers, heads, governors and parents shared this urgency – and I have watched with great admiration as rural schools in Mid Norfolk have worked tirelessly to deliver “more for less”. Rarely, if ever, have they complained of the greater financial constraints within which they have had to operate during this time.

However, this patience and understanding can only go on for so long – and it has become increasingly clear that the funding pressures our rural schools have been facing has been ever more challenging (particularly in the field of SEND provision).

It is for this reason that I have written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review to strongly urge that additional funding is made available for our rural schools – on the basis of the abundance of feedback I have received during my many visits to local schools, and to a letter that I recently wrote to every Headteacher in Mid Norfolk to invite their views.

Having raised this issue in the House in recent months, and actively lobbied Ministers and their civil servants, I am committed to continuing my pursuit of this matter going forward.

As a country, we must do more to ensure that every pupil gets the education they deserve so that they can unlock their full potential – for the betterment of themselves, but also our county and country as wholes.

I look forward to providing further updates in due course – and to read my letter to the Chief Secretary, please see below.