Education Secretary Michael Gove has pledged £2 million to fund tighter security measures to protect Jewish schools.

Payments will be made to 39 voluntary-aided Jewish schools in England, via the Community Security Trust.

The money will cover the amount previously paid by parents and the CST to provide extra fencing, guards and CCTV.

In previous years the Labour government had encouraged councils to allocate funding and cover the shortfall.

Mr Gove said: "Faith schools make a fantastic contribution to our education system and none more so than Jewish faith schools, which teach children of the importance of ethos, values and a belief in social justice.

"Children and staff should feel safe at school and able to learn in an environment free from any antisemitic or racist threats."

The first payment of £650,000 will be paid in arrears for the current autumn term.

Richard Benson, CST chief executive, said: "We are grateful to the Secretary of State for recognising the importance of security provision at state-funded Jewish schools, and for the time he and his department have spent assessing the problem and constructing a viable solution."