§ Mr. HopkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has given to local authorities to ensure that the extra money announced in the budget for 1998–99 for education is spent on schools. [18407]
§ Mr. ByersThe Secretary of State has written to the Leaders of the local authorities that are responsible for education, to emphasise that the £1,017 million increase in recurrent resources announced by the Chancellor in his Budget has been made available for the people's priority of raising standards in our schools. Officials have also discussed with representatives of the Churches and Local Government organisations the principles and criteria for the allocation of the first two phases of capital funding under the New Deal for Schools. The Government wishes to work in partnership with local authorities, and these increases in funding demonstrate that.