§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding the Government have provided for education on solvent abuse in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [184579]
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§ Mr. Stephen TwiggThe funding that the Department has allocated to local education authorities to support drug education and prevention in all schools in England since 1999 is provided in the table. This would include education about the effects of solvents; a statutory requirement of the National Curriculum. We have not directed the proportion of this funding that should be spent on education about solvent abuse.
£ million Funding 1999–2000 7.4 2000–01 17.4 2001–02 13.1 2002–03 15.2 2003–04 14.3 Total 57.4 1Allocated as part of social inclusion grant Since April 2004, the level of support for drug education in schools is for local education authorities and schools to decide.
"Drugs: Guidance to Schools" issued by DfES to all schools this year made clear that volatile substance abuse should be addressed at an early stage in the curriculum. We are also supporting teachers' professional development through the PSHE certification programme which will support teaching of drug education, including volatile substance abuse, in schools. 3,000 teachers are set the benefit this year.
The Department of Health is leading the development of a stategy for volatile substance abuse which will include measurable and achievable targets.