HC Deb 26 June 2003 vol 407 cc950-1W
Martin Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to use his powers under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to compel Wandsworth Borough Council to increase its schools budget. [121705]

Mr. Miliband

My right hon. Friend has no power to compel a local education authority to increase its actual school budget. His reserve power under the School Standards and Framework Act to set a minimum schools budget for an authority applies where he considers that the authority's proposed schools budget for the following year, as notified to the Secretary of State by 31 January, is inadequate.