§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her plans for public investment in schools. [3355]
§ Mr. TimmsOur proposals mean that the recurrent funding for schools in England will have risen by £9.5 billion between 1997–98 and 2003–04. On capital funding, in 2000–01 we invested over £2 billion in school buildings. This is three times the £693 million invested in 1996–97. In addition, we are investing £8.5 billion in our school buildings over the Spending Review period. We are determined to continue to improve schools through sustained investment and reform.