After last year's shortage fears, schools are promised a guaranteed increase

The GMB union found that Islington, in north London, used up the most money for each child - �6,064 - while Norfolk spent the least - �2,206.

The figures cover spending on staff pay, school buildings and teaching and other materials.

Politicians should provide "detailed plans, not slogans", to create "decent education" for all, the GMB said.

'Yawning gap'

The union also found that spending per pupil in the private sector ranged from �5,000 to �9,000 a year.

Its report described a "yawning gap" between independent and state schools.

Top five spending authorities Islington - �6,064 Hackney - �5,881 Lambeth - �5,305 Westminster - �5,071 Southwark - �4,891

The union is calling for greater clarity in the main political parties' education policies.

GMB spokesman Justin Bowden said: "The Tory Party is proposing that parents should be able to take the money spent on their children to a school of their choice.

Bottom five spending authorities Norfolk - �2,206 Dorset - �2,465 Stockport - �2,550 Sheffield - �2,635 Wiltshire - �2,647

"The Labour Party seems to be suggesting that schools should break free from the local education authorities.

"GMB members and parents will want to know how all these proposals work out in practice."

Budgets

Under Conservative Party plans announced last month, up to 600,000 extra school places would be created to give parents in England more choice .

Independent schools would be able to get state funding if they met government prices.

The plans would give every school grant-maintained status, making them able to control their own budgets and choose to select pupils by ability.

Meanwhile, "failing" schools would also face new deadlines to improve, or close.

However, under the government's five-year education plan, all secondaries in England should become an "independent specialist". Each should specialise in at least one subject by 2008.

They will be urged to adopt foundation status - taking control of their own land, buildings and other assets and employing their own staff.