§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that local authorities have sufficient resources to cover the above-inflation element of the teachers' pay award without having(a) to levy additional council tax and (b) reduce other services. [151170]
§ Ms Beverley HughesWe took account of all pressures on local education authorities, including teachers' pay, when setting the level of provision in the spending review. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment announced on 29 January extra funding of £52 million to help certain local education authorities manage funding changes in 2001–02. Local authorities are responsible for their own decisions on budget priorities and council taxes for 2001–02.