HUNDREDS of millions of pounds being ‘wasted’ on free schools could be used by a future Labour government to make sure all schools are funded properly.

On a visit to The Oxford Academy yesterday Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner said she wanted money being used for free schools – and potentially for new grammar schools –to instead go to existing schools.

It comes after a report released yesterday by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee denounced the Government’s free schools programme as ‘incoherent and too often poor value for money’.

The report said £863m had been spent on 175 sites for free schools between 2011 and 2016, at the same time schools in Oxfordshire have warned funding pressures risk them having to cut subjects.

Ms Rayner said: “Labour would make sure the money in the system goes into our schools and into education.

“Labour will make sure the money in the system is spent properly.

“The Tories promised to protect per pupil funding and they have failed to do that.”

Education unions have warned that a proposed new funding formula –plus other financial pressures –could cost schools in Oxfordshire almost £30m by 2019.

Ms Rayner also hit out at the Prime Minister’s plans to bring back grammar schools, which were subject to a consultation before the General Election was called, and suggested there would be no return to selective education under Labour.

She said: “I will promise people that the next Labour government, if I am the Secretary of State for Education, will only bring in policies that have a clear evidence base.

“There will be an evidence base to make sure every child can reach their full potential.

“There is no evidence grammar schools would help young people in this area.

“In fact there is contrary evidence.

“It would create a two-tier system which will damage children’s outlooks and aspirations for the future.”

A number of headteachers in the county have criticised the proposal to bring back grammar schools, while Oxfordshire County Council education boss Steve Harrod saying he wanted to hear a range of views before committing one way or another.

Speaking after Ms Rayner’s visit to his school The Oxford Academy headteacher Niall McWilliams said: “I hope that grammar schools do not come to Oxfordshire. The ideology behind them is abhorrent.

“There is no evidence they are positive for social mobility for the majority.”

Mr McWilliams added that more funding for schools was badly needed.

He said: “Education is hope for the future, it is really that simple.

“It is an investment, not a cost and we just want schools to be adequately funded, not over funded.

“We want to provide for a good teacher to be in every single classroom and to provide appropriate facilities for students.

“The Government needs to make it a priority.

“There is room in the world for socially responsible politics but we are not investing in education.”