§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she intends to make provision for increases in employers' contributions to teachers' pension costs in 2002–03 in her support to education authorities. [19486]
§ Mr. TimmsIn 2002–03 education standard spending will increase by over£1.3 billion, a 6 per cent. rise on this year's figures. The 6 per cent. increase is enough to cover all the cost pressures on local education authorities next year, including the rise in employers' contributions to teachers' pensions.