Schools have been warned they will lose out financially after a fund designed to help introduce new initiatives was cut by almost Pounds 1.5 million.

Some politicians attacked the Assembly government for reducing the amount of money available through the Better Schools Fund from Pounds 38.4 million in 2007-08 to Pounds 36.94m for the next financial year.

Concerns have also been raised that the grant can no longer be spent on improving basic skills or supporting the healthy eating initiative Appetite for Life.

But the Assembly government said BSF was focused on sharing best practice and that other grants were available.