For academics and policymakers, the situation is less clear cut. Under Tony Blair, Labour reduced class sizes for four- to seven-year-olds in England to a maximum of 30. But the uncertain results of research aimed at testing the effect of class size on attainment has meant that there is no consensus that reducing numbers further would be beneficial. In fact, the shrinking classes resulting from a falling birthrate are mostly seen as a problem – with the administrations in the devolved nations facing similar pressures. With school budgets stretched due to reduced per-pupil funding, cuts and closures are expected.