Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow has welcomed news that schools in Somerset will receive extra support as one of dozens of new Education Investment Areas under plans to level up education for disadvantaged children and young people across England.

As part of the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, 55 areas across the country will receive targeted support to help young people from all backgrounds receive the highest standards of education.

Education Investment Areas will be prioritised for new specialist sixth-form free schools – ensuring that talented children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to the learning they need to progress into training or higher education.

They will also be eligible for retention payments to help schools maintain the best teachers in high priority subjects and they will be able to access a new pilot programme to improve pupil attendance.

The Government introduced a new national mission to ensure that 90 per cent of children leaving primary school in England are reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths by 2030.

Some 95 per cent of the areas selected as an Education Investment Area are outside London and the South-East – with schools in the South-West, North, Midlands and East of England West set to receive the most support.

Ms Pow MP said: “No child or young person should be limited by where they grow up – they should be supported to get a world class education and the skills they need to succeed at school and beyond.

“I welcome the extra support Somerset is receiving from Government, including funding to help schools retain the best teachers and priority for new specialist sixth-form free schools to give talented children from disadvantaged backgrounds the highest standard of education.

“The Government is targeting investment and support as we build back fairer – helping to level up education standards, ensuring children and young people across the country fulfil their potential.

“I’ve campaigned continuously for a fairer playing field for education in rural areas like ours and this recognition is welcome.”