§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will meet representatives of the F40 group to discuss(a) the provision of an interim financial award for F40 authorities and (b) F40 proposals for funding from 2003–04 onwards. [24261]
§ Mr. TimmsThe overall local government finance settlement for 2002–03 is a good one for education: over £1.3 billion extra in Education Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs); a further increase in Standards Fund grant of almost £160 million; and an increase in the direct grant for schools of 2.75 per cent. In the context of this settlement, there is less need for special grant support from Government than there was in 2001–02. I will be meeting a group of representatives of the F40 group in the spring to discuss the new funding system for 2003–04.