§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many local authority-partnership schools have basic needs capital building projects starting after 1 April; and what arrangements are in place for local authority-partnership schools to reclaim VAT paid on these projects. [71358]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe Department does not hold information on how many such schools have basic need projects starting after 1 April 1999. The Department provides additional funding where a local education authority (LEA) can demonstrate that there will be a shortfall of places in an area in the medium term. It is, however, for each LEA to decide how to meet that 723W shortfall, including how many of its existing schools to extend or adapt and what new schools to build. The Department itself provides grant directly to governors of voluntary aided and special agreement schools. We expect to fund 28 projects to meet Basic Need starting after 1 April 1999.
The VAT treatment of capital building projects at schools maintained by LEAs depends upon the precise contractual arrangements in place.