School Funding 2023-10-23
2023-10-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Question arises from concerns about adequacy of core school funding in the current academic year.
What assessment has been made of the adequacy of core school funding for the 2023-24 academic year?
The Government introduced fairness into school funding with the national funding formula, which funds schools fairly and objectively based on pupil needs. This year, school budgets are up by over £3.9 billion, and next year they will be funded at their highest level in history, at £59.6 billion.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide an assessment of adequacy specifically for 2023-24 academic year.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Worcestershire County Council faces a deficit of over £20 million in high needs and special educational needs budgets.
Can the Secretary of State do something to help counties like Worcestershire, which face significant deficits in their high needs budget?
High needs funding is set to increase by 60% between 2019-20 and 2024-25. Next year, Worcestershire will receive more than £89 million for its high needs budget. The Department supports local authorities through the Safety Valve programme and the Delivering Better Value in SEND initiative.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A recent accounting error by the Secretary of State's Department will result in a cut of more than £2.5 million for schools in Bristol.
The Prime Minister promised education as a main funding priority, but the error reflects current budget cuts; how does the Secretary of State see the impact on already-strained school budgets?
The Department acted quickly to correct an error in July notional national funding formula figures. There is no cut: £59.6 billion will fund schools next year. An independent external review of the quality assurance processes will be led by Peter Wyman, chair of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not acknowledge the impact on already-strained budgets.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The complexity of the current system means that no actual money was lost to schools due to a recent error.
When do Ministers expect to be able to legislate to put in place a direct funding flow to schools as promised?
It is our intention to legislate, but I cannot give a date for that at the Dispatch Box. I will keep my hon. Friend informed.
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Assessment & feedback
Too Early To Say
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
Despite delivering the highest economic growth in the country, North West Leicestershire has consistently low per-pupil funding.
Does the Secretary of State have any words of comfort for constituents facing very low per-pupil funding despite high economic growth?
The introduction of the NFF will direct resources according to need. Funding has been redistributed to catch up with these changes, targeting those with the highest number of pupils with additional needs via the NFF.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy