Covid-19 Additional Costs to Schools 2021-01-18
2021-01-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP inquired about the financial burden on schools due to the coronavirus outbreak, particularly the additional costs incurred.
What financial support his Department is providing to schools to fund additional costs relating to the covid-19 outbreak. Schools have faced significant expenses to ensure safety and continue operations amid the pandemic.
Some £102 million of funding for exceptional covid-related costs incurred by schools in the first lockdown period of March to July 2020 has already been distributed to schools, and for November and December, schools under financial pressure that have exceptional additional staffing costs due to covid-related absences have been able to claim from the covid workforce fund.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expressed concern over Twickenham schools facing significant costs to maintain safety and operations, coupled with revenue losses from lettings and fundraising. The schools are struggling financially without substantial reserves or local council assistance.
I am grateful to the Minister for his response. He is aware from our discussions that many Twickenham schools have incurred significant one-off and ongoing costs to become covid secure that they have not been able to reclaim, at the same time as losing tens of thousands of pounds from lettings and fundraising. Many of them do not have significant cash reserves to rely on, nor does the council have the money to bail them out, so if schools are to reopen fully and safely as soon as possible, could the Minister please advise which staff and activities he thinks are expendable so that they can make ends meet?
The hon. Member will be aware that we secured a three-year funding settlement for schools, with a 4% increase in funding for the next financial year, and we have also secured for this year a £1 billion catch-up fund and the covid workforce fund. If a school is genuinely in financial difficulties, it should talk to the local authority if it is a maintained school, or to the Education and Skills Funding Agency if it is an academy.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked for specific advice on staff cuts but received general statements about funding settlements without addressing expendable staff directly.
Response accuracy