Grant-maintained Schools

HC Deb 04 November 1996 vol 284 cc376-7W

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sources of funds she proposes grant-maintained schools will use for expansion as envisaged in clauses 3 and 5 of the Education Bill. [2323]

Mr. Forth

Clauses 3 and 5 of the Education Bill enable grant-maintained schools to expand their capacity by up to 50 per cent. and to add or remove nursery, sixth form or boarding provision without central approval. Where capital funding is required, schools will need to consider the full range of options, including their annual formula-based capital allocations, commercial borrowing and the private finance initiative. As to recurrent funding, the existing mechanism will continue to apply, with the overall resources available being determined through the annual public expenditure settlement.