§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact the Government's social exclusion policies are having on school attendance in Dartford. [118822]
§ Jacqui SmithOur Social Inclusion: Pupil Support grant is providing nearly £500 million over three years to support Local Education Authorities and schools to introduce measures for tackling truancy and school exclusion. For 2000–01, Kent Local Education Authority, which has responsibility for schools in Dartford, will receive just over £3 million out of the grant to support projects.
During 1998–99 attendance levels in Kent Local Education Authority have risen both at primary and secondary school level by 0.4 per cent. and 0.1 per cent. respectively.
Separate figures for schools in Dartford can be obtained only at disproportionate costs.