§ Mr. David TrimbleTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect changes to the common funding formula, and in particular changes to threshold funds, will have on funds available for teachers' salaries. [100977]
§ Jane KennedyThe intention is to introduce the common formula in the calculation of school budgets for 2004–05.
All changes to the common formula, when in place, will be subject to detailed modelling and consultation with education interests. There is no separate allocation for teacher costs within LMS formulae and schools may therefore decide for themselves the staffing complement and the organisational structure.
The inclusion of threshold resources within school delegated budgets in 2003–4 means that, on average, school budgets will increase by between 8 per cent. and 11 per cent. depending in which area the school is located. In common with longstanding arrangements any school with a financial difficulty should contact its funding authority which will consider what additional financial support can be made available under its LMS Scheme and taking account of its responsibilities for other schools in its area.