§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what funding has been made available under section 11 in each year since 1995; what funding provision has been made for(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; how many section 11 teachers are currently employed; and what estimate he has made of the number of section 11 teachers who will be employed in 1997–98; [4077]
(2) what representations his Department has received regarding (a) delays in announcing the future of section 11 funding, (b) reductions in section 11 teachers and (c) the role of section 11 for raising achievement levels among pupils with English as a second language. [4076]
§ Mr. KirkhopeNot all the information requested is available.
In 1995–96, Home Office expenditure-not including projects transferred to the single regeneration budget-under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 was £54 million. Current provision for 1996–97 is £58 million. The number of approved posts specifically designated as to be filled by qualified teachers is currently 3,750 in full-time equivalent terms.
In recent months, we have received a substantial number of representations, in writing or by telephone, which sought information about the funding position from next April onwards, and urged that there should be no reduction in current levels of funding.
On 13 November, Official Report, column 242, I announced that, despite other pressures on public expenditure, the current overall level of funding would be maintained until 31 August 1998. This will include projects originally approved under section 11 but at present funded under the single regeneration budget. Subject to a very small number of changes related to current projects for which alternative funding has already been secured, or which were not intended to be funded beyond next March, we would expect the number of approved posts to remain much the same.