More than 80 per cent of schools in Watford would have their funding cut even further in real terms under the Conservatives, the National Education Union has claimed.

It comes following the update of the union’s Stop School Cuts search tool that considers funding pledges from the three main parties fighting in tomorrow’s election.

And it found that on average there would be cuts of £229 per child at schools in Watford in 2020 compared to 2015 under a Conservative Government.

But the search tool says that cuts would be reversed under Labour, with there being gains of £182 per pupil on average in 2020 in the town compared to 2015.

It found the Lib Dems would restore funding to 2015 levels and there would be no cuts per pupil.

Barhey Singh, National Education Union branch secretary, said: “We don’t tell people who to vote for. But we would ask them to do their homework before they vote and we would ask them to vote for Education.”

The Stop School Cuts website suggests Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Ian Stotesbury and Labour candidate Chris Ostrowski have pledged to vote against school cuts. But it suggests Conservative candidate Dean Russell did not respond to 19 emails about fighting school cuts.

Responding to the figures, Mr Russell said the Conservative party will provide £14 billion pounds of extra funding for schools and teachers starting salaries will rise to £30,000.

He said: “The Conservative legacy on education in Watford is something exceptional. Since 2010, five new schools have been built here and the government allocated an additional £60 million to Watford's schools.”

He continued: “We've ensured a large selection of primary and secondary schools. We have a proven record on delivering on education in Watford. We have shown that we can bring all schools to be 'good' or 'outstanding' as we have done before here.

“I'll campaign every day to ensure our schools have all the resources they need. I will always stand by Watford's schools, and pledge that to you here.”

Mr Ostrowski said Mr Russell not making the pledge to fight school cuts “shows how little he cares about our children’s education and future generations of Watford”.

He continued: “I am proud to have signed this pledge and stand by our schools to reverse the cuts as they face austerity.

“Labour will make sure schools are properly resourced with increased long term funding, while introducing a fair funding formula that leaves no child worse off.”

Mr Stotesbury added: "The Liberal Democrats are committed to investment in education and in people. We need our schools fit for purpose and the cuts made since 2015 to be completely reversed.

“The Liberal Democrats will go further and help people of all ages with access to education - with the Lib Dem Skills Wallet people will have access to training to continue their education throughout life."

Michael McGetrick, Social Democratic Party candidate for the town, said: “The cuts in school spending have been a natural consequence of the austerity measures imposed by both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats during their time in office.

“The SDP rejects the continual see-sawing of economic policy on ideological grounds from reckless overspend at one end of the spectrum to severe underspend at the other end, which does much damage to the economy.

“This is also at a time when Watford has seen a significant rise in pupil numbers. As a consequence, it will take time to restore spending per pupil on Watford schools to 2015 levels.”