§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what is current per capita spending on education in schools in England and Wales; and what it was in 1982.
§ Mr. ForthThe latest year for which actual spending information is available is 1990–91. In that year, school-based funding available per nursery, primary and secondary pupil in England was some £1,620 per pupil. This figure includes unspent balances held by schools at the year end under local management schemes. In 1981–82, school-based funding in England was some £740 per pupil, which represents some £1,240 per pupil at 1990–91 prices. There was a real-terms increase in funding per pupil between 1981–82 and 1990–91 of 31 per cent. Expenditure on schools in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.