§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure schools receive the support they need to deal with disruptive pupils. [110238]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe key to tackling poor behaviour is early intervention. My "right" hon. Friend issued guidance on pupil attendance, behaviour, exclusion and re-integration to Local Education Authorities and schools in July of last year. The School Inclusion: Pupil Support Standards Fund grant will provide £140 million to schools and Local Education Authorities in 2000–01 to help them tackle behaviour problems before they escalate. Nearly £100 million must be devolved to secondary schools. Additional resources are going to secondary schools in some city areas as part of the 'Excellence in Cities' initiative, which will include support for Learning Mentors and Learning Support Units to help combat disruption in the classroom. These measures will help meet the targets to reduce truancy and exclusions by one third by 2002.