§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what proposals he plans to make in the EMAG distribution formula; and if he will make a statement; [89596]
(2) what responses he received on the consultation on EMAG distribution; and if he will make a statement. [89597]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggPlans to consult last year on the arrangements for distributing EMAG were deferred pending the outcome of the Spending Review and the Local Government Finance Review. The Department is currently developing for consultation in spring 2003 proposals for a new strategy on raising the achievement of minority ethnic pupils. This will include proposals for the future distribution and use of EMAG.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what has been the comparative EMAG funding at a constant value basis for each of the last five years for which figures are available. [89599]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggThe Ethnic Minority Achievement Element of the Standards Fund (EMAG) was introduced by the DfES (then the DfEE) in April 1999. The breakdown of EMAG funding from April 1999 to March 2003 by financial year is provided in the table. It shows that the EMAG programme (including the LEA contribution) has increased by over £6.2 million in real terms over the last 4 years. To facilitate comparison at a constant value the allocations have been calculated using the GDP deflator formula 571W based on the current standard base year of 2001–02. The 2002–03 calculation is based on GDP working assumptions for 2002–03.
Total allocations Comparison of total allocations in real terms using standard GDP deflator formula with cash figure value of 2001—02 prices as the base year 1999–2000 139.2 145.8 2000–01 147.21 150.71 2001–02 153.9 153.9 2002–03 155.8 152.02 1 For 2000–01 the traveller achievement grant was combined with EMAG. The total allocation of the traveller element for 2000–01 was £15.7 million and is not shown in this table. 2 Based on 2002–03 GDP working assumptions.