HC Deb 30 October 1990 vol 178 c417W
Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the cost of increasing by 50 per cent. the formula allocation made to grant-maintained schools for equipment and small-scale capital projects for the year 1990–91 and 1991–92.

Mr. Eggar

My right hon. Friend announced on 10 October that the formula allocation paid to grant-maintained schools for equipment and small-scale capital projects would be increased by 50 per cent. for the financial year 1991–92. The cost of this increase in 1991–92 for existing grant-maintained schools and schools approved so far for incorporation as grant-maintained schools by April 1991 is £430,000. There are no additional costs in 1990–91.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the cost to date of the grant-maintained schools programme.

Mr. Eggar

The cost of the grant-maintained schools programme up to the end of the 1989–90 financial year was £3.5 million. Of this, £2 million was spent on meeting the cost of inherited capital commitments. The £3.5 million does not include annual maintenance grant payments to schools which were recouped in full from local education authorities.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the cost of increasing by 50 per cent. the annual amount of specific grant paid to grant-maintained schools for the year 1990–91 and 1991–92.

Mr. Eggar

My right hon. Friend announced on 10 October that the annual amount of specific grant paid to grant-maintained schools would increase by an average of £10,000 for the financial year 1991–92, a 50 per cent. increase on current plans. This specific grant supports staff development and other preparation for implementing the national curriculum and assessment arrangements. The cost of this increase in 1991–92 for existing grant-maintained schools and schools approved so far for incorporation as grant-maintained schools by April 1991 is £530,000. There are no additional costs in 1990–91.