Figures compiled by the Association of London Government reveal reductions in education standard spending assessments - the Government’s estimates of what needs to be spent in an authority - of between 0.3 per cent and 3 per cent.

The ALG figures show cuts in education SSAs in the London boroughs of Camden, Greenwich, Hackney, Southwark, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth and Westminster.

The biggest reduction - 3 per cent - will come in Kensington and Chelsea where the education SSA will drop from Pounds 37.2 million to Pounds 34.2m.

It is closely followed by a 2.4 per cent cut in the Conservative borough of Wandsworth, where this year’s education SSA will fall from Pounds 88.7m to Pounds 86.2m. Westminster faces a cut of 1.8 per cent, Lambeth of 1.2 per cent, Hammersmith and Fulham 1.1 per cent and Southwark 1 per cent.

The remaining three authorities where education spending has been cut by the Government are looking at reductions of between 0.7 per cent and 0.3 per cent.

The biggest increase will come in Tower Hamlets, where this year’s education SSA will increase by more than Pounds 2m - or 2.6 per cent - to Pounds 122.8m.

Spending allocations for outer London boroughs have risen by between 1. 2 per cent (Kingston) and 6.6 per cent (Newham).

The cuts in Government spending allocations to the inner London boroughs come despite the announcement by Gillian Shephard, the Education and Employment Secretary, that there will be more money for schools.

Sheila Knight, ALG education chair, said: “This shows a blatant lack of concern for children in London, many from the poorest areas and needing the most help to get a better start in life.

“While the Government is trumpeting an increase in education spending - an increase which in itself is a myth - these inner London boroughs face a double whammy in that they are actually having their education spending allocation cut.”