Expenditure

HC Deb 18 November 1985 vol 87 cc5-6W

Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the percentage change in constant prices of expenditure on education and on higher or further education, in particular, between 1978–79 and 1986–87.

Sir Keith Joseph

After adjusting for the transfer to the Manpower Services Commission in 1986–87 of funding of £105 million for some work-related non-advanced further education the information is as follows:

£ million at 1984–85 prices
	1978–79	1986–87
Total expenditure on education	13,222	12,491

	1978–79	1986–87
of which:
Higher and further education	3,920	3,892

In real terms (as measured by the GDP deflator) planned expenditure for education as a whole is 5.5 per cent. lower, and for higher and further education is less than 1 per cent. lower, in 1986–87 than outturn in 1978–79.

Over three quarters of total expenditure on education is current expenditure by local authorities. Planned expenditure in 1986–87 must be seen in the context of the continuing fall in pupil numbers—estimated at about 16 per cent. over the same period—and the need for local authorities to review those aspects of their provision which offer the prospect of efficiency savings.