Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what additional revenue 373W is allowed to local education authorities over the capping levels to provide the additional services to meet local demands? [38789]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordI have been asked to reply.
Under the 1995–96 capping criteria even those local education authorities budgeting above their standard spending assessment were able to increase their budgets 374W by a minimum of 0.5 per cent. over the previous year. Within its overall budget, it is a matter for each authority to decide on its relative priorities in the light of local needs.
We will announce our provisional decisions on the local government finance settlement for 1996–97 and our intentions for capping shortly after the Chancellor's Budget statement. We will consult authorities and others on our proposals at that time.