§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Government initiatives offer additional funding which require schools to lodge specific applications. [19404]
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§ Mr. TimmsSchools are required to lodge specific applications for the following initiatives, which attract addition al funding:
- Teachers' Threshold Grant
- Teachers' Performance Pay Progression Grant
- Welcome Back Bonuses
- Golden Hellos
- Grammar School/Non-selective School Partnerships
- Training Schools
- Specialist Schools
- Grant Maintained School Transitional Grant for Insurance
- Capital funding for Voluntary Aided Schools.
Most other additional funding is allocated and paid to local education authorities through the standards fund: they must devolve around 75 per cent. of the grant to their schools to spend according to their own needs and priorities. It is for authorities and schools to agree the particular arrangements for allocating the grant to schools. Almost all standards fund grants are allocated to LEAs on a formula basis and the Government expect LEAs to devolve grants to schools by a fair formula, in which case schools should not have to apply for grant.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of total school spending in England and Wales is spent on schemes and improvements instigated by her Department. [19343]
§ Mr. TimmsThe table shows the total national SSA allocation and total national grant funding for schools in England in 2001–02.
£ million National SSA Allocation: 2001–02 Total SSA 122,512.900 National Grant Funding for Schools: 2001–02 Standards Fund revenue 1,524.810 School Standards Grant 600.306 Education Budget Support Grant 52.000 Education Action Zones 58.400 Teachers Pay Reform Grant 2— Transitional Funding (former GM Schools) 9.600 Capital 1,818.404 Total 4,063.520 1 Including support for Early Years, Youth Service and other non-school spending by local education authorities 2 The figures will not be known for a while, but Threshold costs for each academic year are expected to be in the region of £450 million Schools and local education authorities have the freedom to decide how to spend their education budget support grant and school standards grant. Schools also have considerable freedom over the use of their standards fund allocations.
Funding for schools in Wales is the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.
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§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of total school spending in England and Wales is allocated to teacher salaries and related costs. [19379]
§ Mr. TimmsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is responsible for England only. The latest available data are for the financial year 1999–2000. The proportion of total spending on teacher salaries and related costs in pre-primary and primary schools is 62 per cent., and 66 per cent. for secondary schools.