§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the increase in real terms in central Government financial support for education provision by Leicestershire county council in the last five years for which records are available; and what has been the equivalent increase in direct central Government support to independent schools in Leicestershire in the corresponding period.
§ Mr. DunnThe major part of central Government support for education provision by local authorities is through rate support grants, in particular the block grant. This is unhypothecated and authorities have discretion over how it is used; it is not possible to identify any particular amount as being in support of education. There is no direct central Government support to independent schools.