HC Deb 11 July 1997 vol 297 cc627-8W
Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to increase the funding available to the education sector in Northern Ireland in the next financial year. [5979]

Mr. Worthington

Schools will benefit by £35.4 million in 1998–99 as a result of the recent budget statement by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Overall allocations for education in 1998–99 and beyond will be informed by decisions on the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The recently announced £140 million Welfare to Work programme in Northern Ireland will also benefit the education sector as each of the four new options on offer to unemployed people taking up the programme will include an education or training element. More details about this programme will be announced later this year.