§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated cost to local authorities of the enhanced role of local education authorities set out in the White Paper "Excellence in Schools". [17960]
§ Mr. ByersThe main requirement on local education698W authorities flowing from the White Paper is to refocus their existing resources towards the delivery of higher standards of pupil achievement. The extent of the net costs or net savings will vary between authorities according to the extent that a given authority has already adjusted the balance of its support for schools in this direction in recent years. In accordance with the White Paper principle of intervention in inverse proportion to success, LEAs' plans should include a review of all existing activity to ensure that its work in support of raising standards is well targeted. The Government will ensure through the regular process of approving LEAs' Education Development Plans that the resources an LEA plans to commit are appropriate for the task.