Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

f40 Local Authorities: Funding

Monday 29 January 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed to funding all schools fairly and equitably under the national funding formula.
  • Deprivation and transport costs are recognized as significant factors affecting school funding.
  • Government will follow up on the private finance initiative contract at Newman College in Chadderton.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Selous Con
Education Local Government
Context

The question arises from the concern that funding disparities exist between different local education authorities, particularly affecting those in market towns and villages where transport costs are higher.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase the funding allocated to the f40 local education authorities. It is welcome that funding for all schools has risen, but does the Minister accept that there is deprivation in market towns and villages where transport costs are higher, and that the difference between the sums for the highest funded local authorities and those for the lowest funded, such as Central Bedfordshire, is thousands of pounds per child? What can he do to close the gap more quickly?

Answer from Damian Hinds

We are committed to funding all schools fairly and equitably, wherever they are. The national funding formula replaces an unjust system whereby schools received different levels of funding for no reason. My hon. Friend is right about the importance of deprivation factors and, indeed, transport costs. We are increasing the amount under the formula that relates to deprivation, and there is also the sparsity factor. Of course, all schools are benefiting from increases in funding, which will total £59.6 billion in 2024-25.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify any concrete steps or timeline to close the gap between highest and lowest funded local education authorities.

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Q2 Andrew Selous Con
Education
Context

The question arises from the concern that funding disparities exist between different local education authorities, particularly affecting those in market towns and villages where transport costs are higher.

Question

It is welcome that funding for all schools has risen, but does the Minister accept that there is deprivation in market towns and villages where transport costs are higher, and that the difference between the sums for the highest funded local authorities and those for the lowest funded, such as Central Bedfordshire, is thousands of pounds per child? What can he do to close the gap more quickly?

Answer from Damian Hinds

My hon. Friend is right about the importance of deprivation factors and, indeed, transport costs. We are increasing the amount under the formula that relates to deprivation, and there is also the sparsity factor. Of course, all schools are benefiting from increases in funding, which will total £59.6 billion in 2024-25.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify any concrete steps or timeline to close the gap between highest and lowest funded local education authorities.

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Q3 Jim McMahon Labour (Co-op) Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Education
Context

The question arises from the situation at Newman College in Chadderton where £80 million in dividends have been paid out by Amber Infrastructure during its ownership period, while issues such as a non-functional heating system and roof leakage persist.

Question

When it comes to the funding of schools, should not the Government just follow the money? Amber Infrastructure, which owns Newman College in Chadderton, has paid out £80 million of shareholder dividends during the time for which it has owned that PFI school. The heating system does not work, the roof is leaking—which is affecting 30 classrooms— and now two temporary classrooms must be built to accommodate the pupils. Will the Government intervene and point out to the provider that if the money is there to be taken in dividends, it is there to fix a roof as well?

Answer from Damian Hinds

I would be happy to follow up the matter of the private finance initiative contract at that college, and perhaps have some discussions with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education.

Not addressed: The answer did not address whether the government will intervene or take specific action regarding funding usage by PFI providers.

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