§ Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the new system for funding schools will require local LEAs to spend at SSA level; whether it will link the ACA factor to real salary costs in schools; and whether it will narrow the funding gap between the highest and lowest funded schools. [82428]
§ Mr. MilibandLEAs cannot be required to spend at the level of their assessment. We will expect them to take that level into account, but our principal expectation will be that they should pass on increases in schools funding to their schools budgets. The top up for Area Costs is designed to take account of pay costs and also the extra funding needed for recruitment and retention. The new system will be based on evidence of need.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on when the disparity in funding per student in higher and further education will be ended. [82690]
§ Margaret HodgeWe have no plans to equalise unit funding per student for Higher Education and Further Education. Different funding levels reflect the differences between the costs of higher education and further education courses. We have announced significant additional resources for FE over the next three years to meet the needs of the sector and will be setting out our strategy and the outcomes of the spending review for HE in January.