by MATTHEW NIXSON

education correspondent

'Lies, damn lies and statistics' was the cry in Barnet this week with the publication of Government figures on education spending.

Labour councillors trumpeted statistics putting Barnet seventh out of 150 local education authorities (LEAs) in delegating money to schools. Figures show the council passes on 86.7 per cent of funding to schools. 'The league tables show Barnet is one of the top LEAs in England,' said Councillor Alison Moore, Barnet's cabinet member for education.

She did not mention that Barnet's increase in education spending ,, up three per cent on last year ,, was the lowest in the country. Headteachers pounced on this as proof of a funding shortfall.

Alan Davison, headteacher of Mill Hill County, said: 'You can do anything with statistics but the table shows they haven't recognised the additional costs in education this year.'

This year all 23 secondary heads wrote to the council to protest at its education budget. Ms Moore said: 'Since we won the council in 1994, year on year we have invested in education at above what the Government recommends.'