§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason South Gloucestershire has a negative SSA for post-16 education in 2002–03; how many other authorities are in the same position; and if she will make a statement. [22604]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 13 December 2001]: South Gloucestershire has a negative net post-16 SSA because the deduction in respect of its Learning and Skills funding allocation for post-16 education is greater than its gross post-16 SSA for 2002–03. There are a further six authorities in this position. We will be making a special grant available, to guarantee that no authority will have a net post-16 SSA which is less than 7.5 per cent. of its gross post-16 SSA. Allocations of this special grant will be announced once the Local Government Finance Settlement is finalised at the end of January.