The Pupil Premium is a major Liberal Democrat priority that is being delivered by the Coalition Government. The Pupil Premium will be worth a total of £1.65bn, or £900 per child, in 2013/14. It covers any primary or secondary school pupil that has been registered for Free School Meals in the past six years. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Schools Minister, David Laws MP, said: "Liberal Democrats are building a strong economy and a fair society where everyone can get ahead. Education is absolutely at the heart of that. The Pupil Premium provides extra support for the children who need it the most, whether it is catch-up classes, one-to-one tuition, extra IT support – whatever the school thinks best. Helping the most disadvantaged children helps every child. Fewer children falling behind means less disruption in class and a better education for everyone."

By 2015, The Pupil Premium will be worth a total of £2.5bn a year to schools in England. In Cheshire West and Chester 9,540 children will benefit from government funds of £8,449,000.

This is only happening because Liberal Democrats are in the Coalition Government.

  Extra money for early years education for poorest two-year-olds in Chester:  

An announcement by the Coalition Government that Cheshire West and Chester is to receive £445,176 for extra early years education for two year olds has been welcomed by local Liberal Democrat campaigners. Liberal Democrats have won extra cash to ensure all two-year-olds from the poorest 20% of households have 15 hours of free years education a week.

Local Campaigner Jean Evans said, "Cheshire West and Chester will receive £1,713,197 so that 609 children from the poorest households can have free early years education at nurseries and toddler groups. Children get a better start in life when they have received early years education. It's totally unfair that today, you can still predict how well children will do in school based on where they're born. Education is the best way we can help children overcome disadvantaged backgrounds. Liberal Democrats believe in a fair society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. That's why Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats in Coalition have prioritised two-year olds so they can get the best start in life.

It is not just the child who benefits from this extra funding. Too often, mums of young children cannot work as the cost of childcare often leaves them worse off. As a result, they become trapped on benefits. By expanding free early years education, The Lib Dems are helping people back into work.

There is more good news to follow in 2014 as the proportion of two-year-olds entitled to free years education will be doubled. The money the Coalition is investing will rise from £525 million to £760 million.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said: "From 2013, 130,000 of the most disadvantaged two-year-olds will be eligible for 15-hours of free childcare a week with double that number set to benefit the following year.