§ Mr. WoolasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the annual cost of reducing class sizes to 25 for all primary school children. [89375]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisWe have estimated that the cost would be around £3 billion, made up of about £1 billion a year for extra teachers and around £2 billion for the capital investment required. Eventual costs would depend on a range of factors affecting implementation, including the results of local consultation, the availability of existing accommodation and parental preference.