§ Mr. FallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he intends to ensure that schools in Kent can make rapid use of the devolved capital allocation announced on 15 May. [119546]
§ Mr. MilibandOn 15 May, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that in response to exceptional pressures this year on some school budgets he has decided to help schools manage their budgets by allowing them. in discussion with their local education authorities, to use their devolved capital funding to support their day-to-day running costs. This is to be for this year only and must be a decision taken by the school with the agreement of the local education authority only where there is a clear case that failing to do so would lead to excessive instability within the school.
On 16 May, my Department made detailed guidance available to schools and to local education authorities, to enable them immediately to discuss locally where thus capital flexibility can be used. My Department is not included in these discussions, but we expect later this summer to ask all authorities of the extent to which this flexibility has been used.