HC Deb 17 February 2000 vol 344 cc652-3W
21. Mr. Cash

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the funding of schools. [109151]

Ms Estelle Morris

The Government are determined to see increases in funding for schools. For 2000–01 we have increased the funding available to local authorities by £1.8 billion. We are urging local authorities to pass on the £1.1 billion increase in education SSA to their education budgets; and we have set LEAs three targets which will further increase the funding delegated to schools.

Mr. Todd

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he will take to increase the equity of funding for school education. [109143]

Ms Estelle Morris

The Government announced in November 1998 a three-year review in partnership with local government to look for a way of distributing revenue support grant which is simpler, more stable, more robust and fairer than the present arrangements for SSAs.