HC Deb 15 January 2004 vol 416 cc945-6
4. Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York) (Con)

What representations he has received on school funding in (a) North Yorkshire and (b) York for 2004–05. [147869]

The Minister for School Standards (Mr. David Miliband)

We have received few recent representations about school funding in North Yorkshire and York for 2004–05. On 29 October, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced proposals to restore stability and certainty to school funding. In 2004–05 all authorities will have an increase in their school formula spending share of at least 5 per cent. per pupil. North Yorkshire's increase is 6 per cent. and York's is 6.8 per cent.

Miss McIntosh

My pile of papers shows the number of representations that I have received from schools in my area, which covers North Yorkshire and the city of York. The Minister's school report will read: "He must try harder." The procedures are complex, bureaucratic and inflexible. There will be more staff redundancies this year and it is as difficult as ever to get money for the schools building programme. What will the Minister do about it?

Mr. Miliband

I look forward to receiving representations, but the hon. Lady should give credit where it is due. My hon. Friend the Member for City of York (Hugh Bayley) has passed on a representation to me from the director of education in York. He says: This year, the FSS for schools in York was significantly higher than last year and…amongst the best in the country. He continues that the DfES has made huge efforts to address the problems…and should be congratulated on what has been achieved.

Mr. John Grogan (Selby) (Lab)

Does my hon. Friend also know that the widely respected director of education in North Yorkshire has written to all North Yorkshire Members of Parliament to say that, in many ways, the picture for school spending is better than for many years? Will he do everything possible to sustain the increase in spending that has led to 300 extra teachers in North Yorkshire in the past five years?

Mr. Miliband

I am sure that the letter also pointed out that there has been an increase of 47.9 per cent. in funding for pupils in North Yorkshire under the Government, in contrast to the cuts that occurred when the Conservative party was in power.