§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the 2001–02 Education SSA for North Somerset Council would be if the real terms percentage increase were the same as the English national average; [5874]
(2) what the real terms difference between the education spending in 2001–02 by North Somerset Council and the education SSA for the same authority in 2001–02 is, expressed as (a) cash and (b) a percentage. [5875]
§ Mr. TimmsIf the percentage increase (4.64 per cent.) in North Somerset's SSA were the same as the national average (4.78 per cent.) its SSA for 2001–02 would be £74.62 million.
Based on North Somerset's Budget Statement (final outtum information is not yet available), total education revenue expenditure for 2000–01, net of special and specific grants, was £72.24 million. North Somerset's education SSA for 2001–02 is £74.51 million: at 2000–01 prices this is £72.69 million. This is £0.45 million or 0.6 per cent. more than North Somerset's budgeted expenditure for 2000–01.