New funding is being promised to help disadvantaged primary school pupils. The Liberal Democrats said yesterday that £450,000 would be given to bolster teaching for children who are on the free school meals register in Sussex.

Brighton and Hove will see an additional £90,000, while East Sussex will get £170,000 and West Sussex will receive £190,000 more.

The aim is to help raise the attainment of pupils who are most at risk of falling behind.

Primary schools will receive £1,320 for every pupil who has registered for free school meals at any time in the past six years.

Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, said: “This is a Lib Dem success which simply would not have happened without the Lib Dems in government.

“The boost of £18.46 million for schools will provide extra money to schools in East Sussex, targeted at the children who need it most. It will mean every child should be able to reach their full potential.

“Teachers in East Sussex do a fantastic job and this funding assists them to support our children.”

The additional funding now means that in total, Brighton and Hove will see £9.7 million in funding while East Sussex will get £18.5 million and West Sussex a £21 million boost.

Chris Bowers, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion, said: “Every child should be able to reach their potential, whatever their background.

“Equality of opportunity is a central Lib Dem principle – evidence shows that raising the attainment of children by the end of primary school has a direct impact on future exam results. Whole classes benefit.”

Jemima Bland, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: “The pupil premium will get extra money to schools across West Sussex, targeted at the children who need it most. “The whole class benefits when fewer children are struggling. I can’t wait to see how they use this additional funding.”