The Liberal Democrats today reiterated their call for a 'pupil premium' for children struggling at school, in response to a report detailing the level of low educational achievement, including amongst black pupils.

Commenting on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report Tackling Low Educational Achievement published today [Friday], Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Sarah Teather MP said:

"The Government has failed to break the link between poverty and underachievement at school.

"Providing a decent education is crucial to opening up new opportunities, but this Government has failed a generation of young people.

"A 'pupil premium' would target funding at those children who most need help, ending the current situation which sees Afro-Caribbean pupils being the least successful ethnic group in avoiding low achievement."