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6 Dec 2007 : Column 1386W—continued


The revenue per pupil figures shown in the following table are taken from the dedicated schools grant (DSG) which was introduced in April 2006. They are not comparable with those for the years 1997-98 to 2005-06 because the introduction of the DSG in 2006-07 fundamentally changed how local authorities are funded.

The 1997-98 to 2005-06 figures are based on education formula spending (EFS) which formed the education part of the local government finance settlement, plus various grants. The DSG is based on planned spend. In addition, the DSG has a different coverage to EFS, which comprises a schools block and an LEA block (to cover LEA central functions) whereas DSG only covers the schools block. LEA block items are still funded through DCLG's local government finance settlement but education items cannot be separately identified. Consequently, there is a break in the Department's time series as the two sets of data are not comparable.

The per pupil revenue funding figures for years 2006-07 to 2007-08 for England and for each local authority in Greater London are provided in the following table. The DSG is distributed through a single guaranteed unit of funding per pupil so a split between primary and secondary funding is not available.

DSG plus grants 2006-07 DSG plus grants 2007-08

England

4,240

4,410

Barking and Dagenham

4,700

4,980

Barnet

4,730

4,880

Bexley

4,280

4,430

Brent

5,070

5,320

Bromley

4,130

4,290

Camden

6,350

6,560

Croydon

4,410

4,610

Ealing

5,070

5,260

Enfield

4,660

4,820

Greenwich

5,620

5,830

Hackney

6,560

6,720

Hammersmith and Fulham

6,010

6,220

Haringey

5,350

5,560

Harrow

4,550

4,720

Havering

4,220

4,370

Hillingdon

4,550

4,690

Hounslow

4,920

5,080

Islington

6,100

6,370

Kensington and Chelsea

6,150

6,280

Kingston upon Thames

4,430

4,550

Lambeth

6,070

6,290

Lewisham

5,820

5,990

Merton

4,570

4,720

Newham

5,350

5,580

Redbridge

4,340

4,530

Richmond upon Thames

4,320

4,450

Southwark

6,110

6,310

Sutton

4,350

4,510

Tower Hamlets

6,650

6,920

Waltham Forest

4,910

5,070

Wandsworth

5,360

5,590

Westminster

5,730

6,000

Notes:
1. The revenue funding per pupil figures only run to 2005-06 because we cannot provide a consistent time series beyond that year as the introduction of the dedicated schools grant (DSG) in 2006-07 fundamentally changed how local authorities are funded. The 1998-99 to 2005-06 figures are based on education formula spending (EFS) which formed the education part of the local government finance settlement, plus various grants. This was an assessment of what local authorities needed to fund education rather than what they spent. In 2006-07 funding for schools changed with the introduction of the DSG which is based largely on an authority's previous spending.
2. In addition, DSG has a different coverage to EFS: EFS comprised a schools block and an LEA block (to cover LEA central functions) whereas DSG only covers the school block. LEA block items are still funded through DCLG's local government finance settlement but education items cannot be separately identified. This means we have a break in our time series as the two sets of data are not comparable.
3. Price Base: Real terms at 2006-07 prices, based on GDP deflators as at 26 September 2007.
4. This covers funding through the dedicated schools grant, school standards grant, school standards grant (personalisation) and standards fund; it excludes grants not allocated at LEA level.
5. Some of the grant allocations have not been finalised. If these do change, the effect on the funding figures is expected to be minimal.
6. Figures are in real terms.

Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average Government spending per child in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in West Chelmsford Parliamentary constituency was in (i) the latest year for which figures are available and (ii) 2001. [169765]


6 Dec 2007 : Column 1387W

Jim Knight: The Department allocates education funding to local authorities so the requested information for West Chelmsford constituency is not available. The revenue funding figures per pupil for 2001-02 and 2005-06 for Essex local authority are shown in the following table.

2001-02 (£) 2005-06 (£)

Primary (pupils aged 3-10)

3,210

3,720

Secondary (pupils aged 11-15)

4,130

4,610

Total (pupils aged 3-19)

3,690

4,190

Notes:
1. Price Base: Real terms at 2006-07 prices, based on GDP deflators as at 26 September 2007.
2. Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of Standard Spending Assessment/Education Formula Spending (EPS) settlements and exclude the pensions transfer to EFS and LSC.
3. Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES Departmental Expenditure Limits relevant to pupils aged 3-19 and exclude Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) and grants not allocated at LEA level. For those authorities in receipt of advance of grant under the transitional support arrangements for 2004-05, advance grant funding is included in the year of payment (2004-05). There will be a consequential reduction in DfES grant for these LEAs in future years (either 2006-07 and 2007-08 or 2006-07 to 2008-09, depending on the terms on which the advance was given to the LEA).
The pupil numbers used to convert £ million figures to £ per pupil are those underlying the SSA/EFS settlement calculations plus PLASC 3-year-old maintained pupils and estimated 3 to 4-year-olds funded through state support in maintained and other educational institutions where these are not included in the SSA pupil numbers.
4. Rounding: Figures are rounded to the nearest £10.
5. Some of the grant allocations have not been finalised. If these do change, the effect on the funding figures is expected to be minimal.
6. The figures are in real terms

The latest year for which comparable figures are available is 2005-06 and these have been given in the table. The latest revenue per pupil figures available are for 2007-08 and are taken from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) which was introduced in April 2006. They are not comparable with those for 2001-02 and 2005-06 because the introduction of the DSG in 2006-07 fundamentally changed how local authorities are funded.

The 2001-02 and 2005-06 figures are based on Education Formula Spending (EPS) which formed the education part of the Local Government Finance Settlement, plus various grants. The DSG is based on planned spend. In addition, the DSG has a different coverage to EFS, which comprises a schools block and an LEA block (to cover LEA central functions) whereas DSG only covers the schools block. LEA block items are still funded through DCLG’s Local Government Finance Settlement but education items cannot be separately identified. Consequently, there is a break in the Department’s time series as the two sets of data are not comparable.

The per pupil revenue funding figure based on DSG plus grants for 2007-08 for Essex was £4,180.

The DSG is distributed through a single guaranteed unit of funding per pupil so a split between primary and secondary funding is not available. This figure is for all funded pupils aged 3-15 and is in real terms.


6 Dec 2007 : Column 1388W

School Leaving

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how his Department plans to assess the four building blocks he has set out for raising the participation age. [169158]

Jim Knight: In his speech to the Fabian Society on 5 November, my right hon. Friend described four building blocks that must be in place before we can successfully raise the participation age. These are: curriculum and qualifications reform; advice and guidance to help all young people make the right choices; financial support; and employer engagement to provide the right training and apprenticeships. We have set out our plans to implement these reforms and will keep them under review in the run up to the increase in the participation age in 2013.

Schools: Catering

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which (a) schools and (b) sixth form colleges have been supplied meat by McLaren Foods in the last 12 months. [170443]

Jim Knight: The information requested is not collected by this Department. Local authorities and schools must put in place their own arrangements for procuring ingredients for school food.

Science: Teaching Methods

Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will take steps to support Wizz Bang multi-media science and technology presentations to encourage the take up of science and related subjects in schools. [169773]

Jim Knight: The Government are already doing much to encourage young people to take up science and related subjects in schools. This includes the
6 Dec 2007 : Column 1389W
Science and Engineering Ambassadors scheme whereby practising scientists and engineers go into schools to support teachers and engage and enthuse pupils to continue studying science. We are also in the process of commissioning a programme of careers support and guidance, and a communications campaign both with the aim informing young people more about the varied and exciting opportunities that exist in science in pre and post-16 education and beyond.

The Government have no plans to support Wizz Bang multi-media science and technology presentations. It is for schools to decide whether they engage with this type of initiative as they are best placed to know the specific needs of their pupils.

Secondary Education

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average Government spending was in the latest period for which figures are available per child in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each London borough. [169237]

Jim Knight: The revenue per pupil figures shown in the following table are taken from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) which was introduced in April 2006. The DSG is distributed through a single guaranteed unit of funding per pupil so a split between primary and secondary funding is not available. The figures are for all funded pupils aged 3-15.


6 Dec 2007 : Column 1390W
DSG plus grants 2007-08 (£)

Barking and Dagenham

5,119

Barnet

5,009

Bexley

4,551

Brent

5,463

Bromley

4,403

Camden

6,733

Croydon

4,738

Ealing

5,403

Enfield

4,951

Greenwich

5,987

Hackney

6,902

Hammersmith and Fulham

6,388

Haringey

5,710

Harrow

4,847

Havering

4,492

Hillingdon

4,815

Hounslow

5,212

Islington

6,547

Kensington and Chelsea

6,452

Kingston upon Thames

4,676

Lambeth

6,462

Lewisham

6,152

Merton

4,849

Newham

5,726

Redbridge

4,653

Richmond upon Thames

4,574

Southwark

6,484

Sutton

4,629

Tower Hamlets

7,107

Waltham Forest

5,206

Wandsworth

5,736

Westminster

6,164

Notes:
1. This covers funding through the Dedicated Schools Grant, School Standards Grant, School Standards Grant (Personalisation) and Standards Fund; it excludes grants not allocated at LEA level.
2. Some of the grant allocations have not been finalised. If these do change, the effect on the funding figures is expected to be minimal.
3. The figures are in cash terms.

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