Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Support for Schools

Monday 22 February 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Department for Education on financial support for local authorities during the covid-19 outbreak.
  • The government has provided local authorities with 4.6 billion in un-ringfenced funds to address various covid-19 related pressures.
  • Local authorities are expected to spend 6.9 billion on covid-related pressures this year, with the government confirming a total of 11 billion in support.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Education Economy
Context

Local authorities are providing financial support to schools dealing with the costs of making their sites covid secure and lost income from lettings and fundraising.

Question

What discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Department for Education on providing financial support by local authorities for schools during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Luke Hall

We regularly engage with the Department for Education on matters relating to local authorities' finances. We have provided £4.6 billion of un-ringfenced funds to councils to manage a range of covid-19-related pressures. The DFE has already distributed £102 million for exceptional covid-related costs incurred by schools and will shortly process claims made in December.

Answered
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Q2 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Education Economy Local Government
Context

Many primary schools in Twickenham are struggling with the costs of making their sites safe during the pandemic and lost income from lettings and fundraising. The Department for Education has not reimbursed a lot of these costs.

Question

Will the Minister be making funds available to local authorities specifically to support schools in need? If not, will he issue guidance on the use of existing covid funding to local authorities?

Answer from Luke Hall

Local authorities are projected to spend £6.9 billion on covid-related pressures this year. We have already provided them with £8 billion of support and we have confirmed a total of £11 billion of support. Richmond has received £12.5 million from the un-ringfenced funds for local priorities, including schools. Councils are best placed to understand their populations' needs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm making specific funds available for schools in need or issue guidance on existing funding use.

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