§ Mr. HagueTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of total expenditure on the education of pupils with special needs in(a) mainstream schools and (b) special schools in the latest year for which figures are available. [156000]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggInformation about expenditure on the education of pupils with special educational needs is collected from local education authorities on their Section 52 Budget Statements. Where money is delegated to mainstream schools, figures are indicative rather than actual as final decisions are made by the schools. Latest figures available are for 2003–04, as reported by LEAs at 19 February 2004.
Total estimated gross expenditure for pupils in mainstream schools is £1,717,253,601. This includes support for pupils with statements and for those with special educational needs (SEN) but without statements. This expenditure will be in addition to their normal place funding.
Total estimated gross expenditure for pupils in special schools is £1,511,349,567. This includes pupils in maintained special schools and fees for pupils in independent and non-maintained special schools.
In addition, an estimated £236,233,036 will be spent in this financial year on centrally funded SEN activities. These include the costs of educational psychology services, assessment and statementing, parent partnership services and the provision of information.
Overall, the estimated gross expenditure on pupils with special educational needs in the year 2003–04 is £3,464,836,204.