TENS of thousands of disadvantaged pupils are to benefit from increased premium payments.

The Department for Education has increased the pupil premium by £112 for each eligible pupil from April and also increased the quota of pupils eligible for the payment.

The Department for Education’s announcement will mean an extra £14m being paid to schools in the North- East and North Yorkshire.

Figures show that 110,650 pupils in the North-East and 18,710 pupils across North Yorkshire are eligible for the payments, making the premium worth £77m.

Children’s Minister Sarah Teather said: “For too long social background has been a deciding factor in a child’s achievement and future prospects. In a fair society, it’s the Government’s responsibility to close the gulf in achievement.”

She said the payments would help schools tackle the inequalities that have been a part of the state system for “far too long”.

The scheme gives £600 to schools for every child on the roll receiving free school meals. The Department for Education said more than 500,000 children will now qualify for the payment as a result of it being extended to youngsters registered for free schools meals in the past six years.

Figures show pupils eligible for the payments achieved lower grades than their peers.

Twice as many pupils who were not entitled to the funding achieved five A* to C grades at GCSE. English and mathematics scores for 11-years-olds are also lower than those receiving pupil premiums.

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the Government is delivering on its pupil premium commitments.

“It brings a great deal of money to schools in our area. Recently, I’ve been hearing from headteachers what a difference it is making. I’m delighted to see more money coming through.”

He said the money could pay for extra tuition, more teaching assistance time, or extra reading and mathematics classes.

Pat Glass, Labour MP for North West Durham and member of the Education Select Committee, said: “I am, of course, delighted at any additional funding targeted at disadvantaged pupils, but this increase in funding is coming to schools at the same time as Local Authority funding is being slashed, schools are losing their additional education support allowances and they are having to pay for specialist support services that they previously received free.

“I am, therefore, not convinced that this is new money and not just more recycling of existing funds.”