§ 5. Mr. Ivan Lewis (Bury, South)If he will make a statement on the (a) performance and (b) level of funding of Bury's schools. [43755]
§ The Minister for School Standards (Mr. Stephen Byers)Key indicators show that the performance of Bury's schools is above the England average. The level of Bury's standard spending assessment in 1998–99 was £67.8 million—an increase of 6.4 per cent. on the figure for 1997–98. That amounts to an extra £109 for every primary pupil and an extra £127 for every secondary pupil.
§ Mr. LewisI thank my hon. Friend for that response. Is he aware that, before and during the election, my hon. Friends and I promised people that five, six and seven-year-olds would be taught in classes of 30 and under by about 2001, which will be towards the end of the first term of the Labour Government? Is he further 1181 aware that from September 1998, 95 per cent. of five, six and seven-year-olds in Bury will be taught in classes of 30 and under?
§ Mr. ByersI offer my congratulations to those schools in Bury and the teachers responsible for the good standards that are now being achieved. I compliment my hon. Friend and his colleague my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor), who have been great champions of the school system there. I am delighted to confirm that we pledged that, by the end of this Parliament, there would be no five, six or seven-year-olds in a class of 30 or more. I am delighted that, in September of this year, 3,500 fewer five, six and seven-year-olds in Bury will be in classes of more than 30. I am confident that, with that targeted support, Bury will be able to do even better for its children than it is doing now.