§ David TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what percentage of Leicestershire LEA' s education budget was delegated to schools in the financial years(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and what percentage of the LEA education budget Leicestershire schools will receive in 2001–02; [23314]
(2) what average percentage of the LEA education budget was delegated to schools in England and Wales in the financial years (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and what the projected figure is for 2001–02; [23313]
(3) what progress has been made in delegating LEAs' education budgets to schools in England and Wales for the year 2001–02. [23312]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Government have set authorities in England a target in delegating percentages of the local schools budget (LSB) to schools. In 2000–01 and 2001–02, the Government's target for delegating the LSB to schools was 80 per cent. and 85 per cent. respectively; the average delegation actually achieved by LEAs was 84.2 per cent. and 86.5 per cent. Although there was no national target set in 1999–2000, the average delegation rate actually achieved by LEAs in England was 82.4 per cent. Next year, 2002–03, the national delegation target is 87 per cent. We expect authorities to reach this target, prior to the proposed introduction of the new local authority funding system in 2003–04 when we will be moving towards the publication of separate schools and LEA budgets.
From 1999–2000 to 2001–02, Leicestershire LEA achieved delegation percentages of 83.4 per cent., 84.2 per cent. and 85 per cent. respectively.
School funding in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.