§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what savings have resulted from the change to 60:40 GEST funding to the Standards Fund for Cumbria. [52209]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisIn 1997–98 Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) supported education expenditure of £3,327,500 in Cumbria at a grant rate of mainly 60 per cent. The expenditure to be supported in Cumbria by The Standards Fund in 1998–99 is £5,659,512, at a grant rate of mainly 50 per cent. The 50 per cent. funding reflects the Government's commitment to raise standards in partnership with Local Education Authorities.