HC Deb 08 February 2001 vol 362 cc687-8W
14. Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on education funding for Sefton metropolitan council since 1997. [147919]

Ms Estelle Morris

For Sefton, SSA has increased from over £106 million in 1997–98 to £132 million in 2001–02. During this period, over £27 million has been allocated to schools capital. In 2001–02 over £12 million has been allocated for other grants, including the Standards Fund and School Standards Grant. Under this Government, funding nationally per pupil has already increased by over £300 in real terms, and it will increase by a further £150 per pupil for 2001–02.

22. Miss Kirkbride

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent meetings he has had with local education authorities to discuss the level of school funding. [147929]

Ms Estelle Morris

My ministerial colleagues and I regularly talk to representatives of LEAs about the level of school funding. In 2001–02, real terms funding per pupil will rise in England by £150, following an increase of £300 since 1997. This contrasts with a cut of £60 per pupil between 1994–97 in real terms.

26. Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations he has received(a) from and (b) on behalf of Worcestershire head teachers about the funding of education in the county; and if he will make a statement. [147933]

Ms Estelle Morris

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about the funding of education in Worcestershire from and on behalf of head teachers in the county. On top of the significant increases that have already been announced for 2001–02, we have made an extra £52 million available to provide support to help some local education authorities manage funding changes in 2001–02. Worcestershire will receive £1.35 million as its share of this additional funding, which will help the authority deal with known pressures in advance of the longer term revision of local authority finance.