§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from LEAs on the level of education funding in the local government settlement. [143940]
517W
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 8 January 2001]: My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on the level of education funding in the local government settlement from authorities, schools and parents. We are continuing to increase the general funding available across the country following the Spending Review. In the four years from 1997, funding per pupil will have increased by over £450 per pupil in real terms. Under the last Government, funding per pupil fell by £60 in real terms between 1994–95 and 1997–98.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if it is his policy to reduce the gap between the funding per pupil in primary and secondary sectors in Worcestershire and the respective national average for both sectors; and if he will make a statement. [144507]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 8 January 20011: We recognise that the current formula for distributing funding between local education authorities is far from perfect and that is why we are currently conducting a review of local authority grant distribution. The Green Paper on the future of local authority funding makes it clear that the Government are seeking arrangements which will be fair between different parts of the country; are more transparent; and will provide greater predictability and stability. Our objective is to remove the worst of the disparities that exist across the country, by levelling up, not down. We are continuing to increase the general funding available across the country following the Spending Review. In the four years from 1997, funding per pupil will have increased by over £450 per pupil in real terms. Under the last Government, funding per pupil fell by £60 in real terms between 1994–95 and 1997–98.