HC Deb 14 July 2003 vol 409 c103W
Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) professional staff, (b) administrative staff and (c) consultants work on his Department's London Challenge initiative; what the total budget is for the initiative; and if he will make a statement. [123365]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

The London Challenge is a major new programme of work to raise standards in London schools. Our recently published strategy document "The London Challenge: Transforming London Secondary Schools" sets out a comprehensive programme of work, including 20 new schools and 30 academies, intended to create a city as renowned for its learning and creativity as it already is for so many other things.

In announcing the London Challenge, the then Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Estelle Morris), announced that £25 million would be set aside over three years for the implementation of new initiatives arising from the programme, including £7.5 million for a major programme of leadership training and support in schools and £10 million for a new London gifted and talented centre. In addition, the programme of work set out in the strategy document involves a major focusing of national programmes (including, for example, the academies programme) on London—so that there will be very significant new investment in London over the next three years.

The programme is currently staffed by:

  1. (a) 10 professional staff
  2. (b) Nine civil servants
  3. (c) One consultant.