§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills by what means she will ensure that the additional payments to primary and secondary schools, referred to in the Chancellor's Budget, reach the schools. [52363]
638W
§ John HealeyAll the direct funding for schools of which the Chancellor gave examples in his recent Budget speech goes to schools. It is for schools themselves to decide how this money is used within the context of standard guidance.
The Chancellor announced additional capital funding of £85 million for schools and colleges in England in 2002–03, which will be delivered to schools as an additional allocation of the existing New Deal for Schools devolved formula capital programme. This money is allocated by formula with a fixed amount per school plus a fixed amount per pupil. It is channelled through local education authorities, which must allocate it to schools using the standard national formula, and may not retain any part of the grant. Schools can hold this grant in their own suitable bank accounts, on request.
The Chancellor also included school standards grant in his examples of what typical schools will receive in 2002–03. This recurrent funding is again passported to schools through local education authorities, which must pass on 100 per cent. of the grant. Schools can use this grant for their priorities to improve educational attainment.