§ Paddy TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will bring forward proposals for a new system of financing schools in 2002–03. [7538]
§ Mr. TimmsAs part of the review of local government funding we have set up two working groups, with local government and schools partners, to develop proposals for a new LEA and school funding system. The work we have done with these groups has shown that we need more time to get the formula right. We have therefore decided to implement reform in 2003–04 rather than 2002–03, allowing us to see the impact of all the changes we will be making to local authority finance, not just those which affect education.