School chiefs are raising spending on education in Bradford by £15 million, or 6.4 per cent, next year.

Following an increase in funding from the Government, which has promised all schools an above-inflation rise of four per cent, Bradford Council is proposing to 'passport' the additional resources to schools.

Spending on education across the district, including schools and the cash spent on central services, is set to rise £15.6 million to £257.6 million.

Plans had already been made to up the spending on education in Bradford by £4 million on top of inflation, but the announcement by Education Secretary Charles Clarke that he was increasing cash for schools means more can be allocated.

But even with an extra £15 million, Bradford still spends less than comparable authorities do on education.

Historically, Bradford's schools were chronically under-funded, leading to criticism by Ofsted in 2000.

Councillor David Ward, executive member for education, said: "This is the fifth year running that the Council has maintained its commitment to above-inflation increases in education spending, as we continue efforts to improve standards in our schools."

John Howarth, of the Bradford branch of the National Union of Teachers, said: "It's too early to say exactly what this means for individual schools. The Council appears to be relying on the extra the Government is putting in, rather than putting in anything itself. A figure of 6.4 per cent would be an increase for most schools, but if our statistical neighbours get similar sums, we are not getting any closer to them."

Ian Davey, of the NASUWT union, said: "£15 million is good news - the Council has got this money from the Government and all they're doing is what they're expected to do, which is to passport the money to the education budget."

As well as schools with falling rolls, schools with a higher-than-average proportion of older, experienced teachers, which spend more than 80 per cent of their budgets on salaries, will also be under pressure.