HC Deb 15 June 2004 vol 422 cc910-1W
Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much ring-fenced money for classroom building projects has been given by his Department to each local education authority in the South West in each of the last three years. [177195]

Mr. Miliband

The following table shows this Department's total capital allocations for school buildings to local education authorities in the South West from 2001–02 to 2003–04. It shows both ring-fenced and total allocations.

It is our policy to reduce the proportion of support that is ring-fenced for individual projects, and increasingly to allocate support direct to schools and authorities. This allows them to decide the priorities for investment. For example, through devolved formula capital, a typical primary school of 250 pupils will receive £25,500, and a typical secondary school of 1,000 pupils will receive £87,250 in 2005–06.

regardless of how it is manifested, bullying is a serious problem which puts the emotional well-being and educational achievement of pupils at risk. The pack (which was updated in September 2002) is freely available to be ordered by all schools. All secondary and middle schools have received a copy as part of the KS3 behaviour and attendance training.

In September 2003 I launched a new information film aimed at children and young people. The film encourages pupils who are experiencing bullying to tell someone who can help so they do not suffer in silence. I also announced an anti-bullying charter for schools. This has been drawn up in consultation with professional associations and voluntary sector partners, and it was launched in November 2003 at the first of a series of regional conferences, called "Make the Difference", for schools and other partners. The charter has been made available to schools. The conferences (nine in total) culminate with a final conference in Chorley on June 14.

The purpose of the conferences has been to provide a forum for schools and related partners to share good practice. This has been facilitated by workshops and exhibitor stalls where attendees can gather a host of information on combating bullying.