§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total allocation of Seed Challenge Capital for schools within Essex County Council in the next financial year; and how many schools within Essex County Council are eligible to bid for funds under the scheme. [107758]
§ Jacqui SmithThe total allocation of Seed Challenge Capital for schools within Essex County Council in the next financial year is £650,909. All maintained schools are eligible to bid for funds under the scheme. The next financial year, 2000–01, is a pilot year for Seed Challenge. If it is successful in building partnerships and raising additional funding, we will consider expanding the scheme in future years.