§ 27. Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the funding of secondary schools in Gloucestershire. [109158]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisFor 2000–01, Gloucestershire's education SSA has increased by £11.21 million to £226.01 million. While it is for local authorities to set their education budgets, my right hon. Friend has written on behalf of the Government to urge all council leaders to ensure that all the additional provision we have made available is actually spent on education. Gloucestershire's Standards Fund allocation for 2000–01 is £15.21 million, an increase of £4.76 million. I hope it will take up all of this allocation. In addition, Gloucestershire will receive £572,000 as its share of the extra £50 million grant for education on condition that it is used for education and added to schools' delegated budgets. My right hon. Friend shall look for prior confirmation that the whole of the increase in Gloucestershire's education SSA has been passed on to education before deciding whether to release its share of the grant.