§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the bodies representing voluntary aided schools about their contribution to capital expenditure arising from departmental initiatives. [144067]
§ Mr. MilibandOfficials in my Department have regular discussions with the Church of England Board of Education and the Catholic Education Service in connection with the funding of work at Voluntary Aided schools.
§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the contribution that the sponsors of Voluntary Aided Schools have to make to capital projects when(a) the project is initiated by the school and (b) the project is initiated by the Department. [144073]
§ Mr. MilibandVoluntary Aided Schools must usually contribute at least 10 per cent. towards the cost of capital work at their schools and for which they receive grant support for the remaining 90 per cent. from my Department. Legislation allows grant to be paid at a rate of up to 100 per cent. in exceptional circumstances, although those circumstances are not defined in the relevant legislation. Our published guidance indicates that such an example might be where Ministers have initiated a specific policy programme which also applies to Voluntary Aided Schools.