Poorer children will be given extra funding to help with their schooling.

The Government has announced it is pressing ahead with plans for a “pupil premium”, which will see additional money attached to youngsters from disadvantaged homes, following them as and when they move schools.

The premium was a key plank of the Liberal Democrats’ election manifesto, and they held on to it in the coalition with the Tories.

Education Secretary Michael Gove announced the premium would be introduced from next year.

He launched a consultation on what measures should be used to decide if a child is eligible for extra cash.

This could include children who are, or have been, eligible for free school meals, or youngsters in families receiving out-of-work tax credits.

There are also proposals for the premium to cover looked-after children and children with parents in the armed forces.

The Government has not yet said how much money will be pumped into the premium.