§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect the pilot scheme for vouchers176W has on the rate support grant of those authorities taking part in the scheme; in (a) the first and (b) the second year of its operation. [3267]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordAuthorities taking part in phase 1 of the scheme will receive less revenue support grant because they have a reduced standard spending assessment for education. But if they continue to attract the same number of nursery pupils as in the past, their income from vouchers would equal the reduction in their RSG.
We will take decisions on the second year of the scheme in the light of experience in the first year.