HC Deb 19 March 2002 vol 382 cc248-9W
Mrs. Ellman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much(a) capital and (b) revenue funding has been made available to schools and colleges in Liverpool in each year since 1997. [41124]

John Healey

Nationally, capital investment in school buildings has more than tripled from less than £700 million in 1996–97 to over £2.2 billion in 2001–02, and will rise to over £3.5 billion a year by 2003–04, totalling £8.5 billion from 2001–02 to 2003–04. Table A shows the total capital investment of over £168 million in school buildings in Liverpool from 1997–98 to 2001–02, including £74.3 million of PFI credits.

For revenue funding, between 1997–98 and 2001–02, Liverpool has seen a significant increase in its Education Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) and grants, as set out in Table B.

The overall settlement for 2002–03 is a good one, and Liverpool's pupils will further benefit. Its Education SSA will increase by £11.33 million or 4.48 per cent. over 2001–02. Liverpool will also benefit from an overall increase in Standards Fund grant of over £160 million; and an increase of 2.75 per cent. in the direct grant for schools. In addition, Liverpool will receive £8.04 million extra in revenue support grant (RSG) from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to bring its overall increase in RSG up to 4 per cent.

The Learning and Skills Council will write to the hon. Member about resources provided to colleges, and a copy of its letter will be placed in the Library.

Table A Schools Capital Allocations By Central Government Liverpool Local Education Authority
Year Capital Allocation £ million
1997–98 15.306
1998–99 20.104
1999–2000 13.967
2000–01 97.961
2001–02 20.785
Total 168.123

Notes:

1. Allocations comprise capital grant and credit approvals including PFI credits for school buildings

2. The figure for 2000–01 includes £74.3 million of PFI credits

Table B

Grants and SSA

Liverpool Local Education Authority

£ million
SSA Grants Total
1997–98 210.173 8.092 218.265
1998–99 229.914 2.798 232.712
1999–2000 238.304 7.773 246.077
2000–01 248.414 26.076 274.490
2001–02 252.286 44.743 297.029
Change1 42.113 36.651 78.764
1 Change since 1997–98

Notes:

1. Figures reflect all sub-blocks of the Education SSA plus all revenue grants in DfES's Departmental Expenditure Limits relevant to pupils aged 4–19. The Private Voluntary Independent element of the SSA that replaced Nursery Education Grant funding is not included in the funding figures.

2. Grant figures exclude funds that include ages before 4 years old, Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant and Education Maintenance Allowance.