CHANGES are being proposed to the way education cash is shared out amid continuing concerns it is unfair to Devon schools.

A consultation has now been launched into the plans for a new system of the way funding is allocated from next year.

But it will not finish until June — after the next General Election.

It comes as Schools Secretary Ed Balls warned that tough choices lay ahead for the schools in the face of tighter financial settlements, but he pledged to protect frontline budgets.

There has been mounting anger in Devon over the amount of cash received by schools.

The county is 148th out of 151 in the national funding league table.

MPs have previously heard the best funded areas received £6,252 per pupils, while the national average was £4,217. But in Devon it was just £3,842.

Unveiling a proposed shake-up in the way cash is hand out, Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said there was a need to ensure money went where it was needed, and that allocations "better reflect actual characteristics of pupils".