§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria her Department uses to allocate varying levels of support from the Music Standards Fund to local education authorities. [12779]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 6 November 2001]Music Standards Fund allocations in the current financial year are largely based on the levels established in 2000–01. This is to honour our formal commitment to ensuring that no LEA would receive less money through the Music Standards Fund in 2001–02 than in 2000–01. We also pledged to ensure that no LEA would be required to increase the level of its own match-funded contribution in 2001–02.
The original MSF formula (from which this year's allocations are drawn) was introduced in the second year of the Music Standards Fund. It is made up of three main parts:
an allocation based on each LEA's section 122 return which was intended to protect music services at pre-Music Standards Fund levels,an allocation based on bids made by individual LEAs in 1999–2000 for expanding their existing music services,an allocation based on our assessment of the need in each authority. 'Need' in this context was assessed in terms of the number of pupils in each authority, weighted to take account of socio-economic indicators for deprivation.
§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if the amount allocated to local education authorities for Music Standards Fund grants in 2001–02 will be paid in full. [12786]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 6 November 2001]: In general, the Music Standards Fund grant is match-funded. For some LEAs support is provided at 100 per cent. and 424W no match-funding is required. Where match-funding is required the LEAs need to make a contribution if they are to receive DfES grant.
All LEAs required to do so have agreed to make their contributions and so they, together with those funded at 100 per cent., will receive the full grant.
LEAs may retain any grant that remains unspent at the end of the year.