HC Deb 29 June 1993 vol 227 cc467-8W
Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will monitor the education effects in individual local authorities arising from the education standard spending assessments for 1993–94 being based on the 1981 census data and not on the 1991 data.

Mr. Forth

No. In our view, the standard spending assessments set for 1993–94 are sufficient to allow authorities to maintain service provision. SSAs for 1993–94 were calculated using the latest information available for all authorities. Although it was possible to use population estimates derived from the 1991 census in the calculations, other 1991 census indicators were not available in time for the settlement.

The most appropriate method of incorporating the full 1991 census data into the education element of SSAs is still under consideration. All the relevant 1991 census data will be incorporated into the education elements of SSAs for 1994–95.