HL Deb 13 January 2005 vol 668 cc78-9WA

Lord Moynihan asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many specialist sports colleges there were in the two years since 2003–04; and what are the targets for each year until 2007–08. [HL523]

Lord Filkin

There were 228 specialist sports colleges in operation from September 2003 and 283 from September 2004. Subject to sufficient high quality applications coming forward, we are on target to achieve the designation of 400 specialist sports colleges by January 2006. Beyond then, any school which applies for specialist sports college status will be designated, subject to them meeting the standard for designation.

Lord Moynihan asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much funding was made available for specialist sports colleges from the physical education, school sport and club links budget head for the two years since 2003–04; and what is the projected budget for each year until 2007–08. [HL524]

Lord Filkin

Funding made available for specialist sports colleges from the physical education, school sport and club links budget was £32.3 million for 2003–04 and £38.5 million for 2004–05. Future funding for specialist sports colleges will depend upon the number of schools designated. Sufficient funding has been set aside to ensure that all schools applying for sports college status which meet the standards for designation will be designated.