Despite the recognised value, in 2024–25 the maximum pupil premium annual rate per pupil in the early years (age 3–4) was £388, compared to £1,480 for primary school pupils and £1,050 for those at secondary school. The Department has not done any analysis to explain these funding differences.44 However, it told us it had increased the early years premium for 2025–26 by 45%, to £570, reflecting the very strong evidence base.45 The Department acknowledged that this remained significantly lower than the primary school rate, but explained not wanting to increase the rate too quickly which could create instability in the funding system by taking money away from other areas.46 The Department felt it had gone as far as it could, but committed to keeping the balance of funding under review, stressing the importance of matching increases in funding with the developing evidence base. Currently the evidence base for early years funding is still developing compared to that for primary and secondary school interventions.47