Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Maintained Schools Funding

Monday 11 March 2024 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has assessed that school funding has reached its highest level in real terms per pupil since 2010, with 59.6 billion allocated for the next year.
  • The Minister supports the extension of funding for tutoring programs, highlighting their success in raising attainment for disadvantaged students.
  • The Government plans to reform EHCPs to ensure personalized care for children rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Education
Context

Recent figures show significant real-terms cuts in Luton North's schools since 2010, impacting school buildings and teaching resources.

Question

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of funding decisions on maintained schools since 2010. Recent figures show that the worst impacted schools in Luton North have endured more than £2 million of real-terms cuts since 2010. There are school roofs with holes in, buckets scattered across corridors collecting rainwater, and entire buildings held up by scaffolding.

Answer from Damian Hinds

In 2010-11, school funding was £35 billion. Next year, it will be £59.6 billion. That is the highest ever level in real terms per pupil. On the condition of school buildings, there is £1.8 billion-worth of capital for maintaining and improving school buildings.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific issues about roof repairs, rainwater buckets, and scaffolded buildings were not addressed with concrete actions or timelines

How: Celebrating The Record Resourcing

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Q2 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Education
Context

The funding for tutoring has been a success in raising attainment, particularly among disadvantaged students.

Question

I welcome the record real-terms funding flowing into our schools, but will my right hon. Friend join me in looking very carefully at the case for extending funding for tutoring? It has raised attainment, in particular for the most disadvantaged, in many of our schools, and been seen as a great success story.

Answer from Damian Hinds

I absolutely agree that tutoring is important in multiple contexts. In particular, in the years since the pandemic it has played an essential part. I will add that tutoring by undergraduates can help to introduce a wider range of people to the potential of a career in teaching. I want tutoring to continue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding extension request was not addressed with concrete actions or timelines

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Q3 Robin Walker Con
Children & Families
Context

A teacher in Frome reported that too few pupils are successful in their education, health and care plan applications.

Question

Can the Minister reassure my constituents that the Government's plans to reform the EHCP will still ensure that children receive care that is personalised to their needs and not a one-size-fits-all approach to cut costs?

Answer from Damian Hinds

I absolutely and wholeheartedly agree with the hon. Lady on the central importance of that support and how vital it is to have it. There are, of course, many more EHCPs than there were statements under the old system, with more children receiving support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The individual case mentioned was not addressed with concrete actions or timelines

How: Mentioning Special Educational Needs And Disabilities Improvement Plan

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Q4 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Education
Context

Significant additional funding has been given to maintained nursery schools in Theresa Villiers' constituency.

Question

Does the Minister agree that it is vital for us to continue to increase funding for all Barnet's schools?

Answer from Damian Hinds

As ever, my right hon. Friend is a great champion and advocate for Barnet's schools and, indeed, for maintained nursery schools, which, as she says, play a unique role in our system in carrying out those particular functions.

Not addressed: No specific funding increase commitment provided

How: Championing The Constituency

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Q5 Theresa Villiers Con
Education
Context

The National Audit Office reported that 700,000 children were being taught in schools needing major rebuilding works.

Question

Last year the National Audit Office reported that 700,000 children were being taught in schools needing major rebuilding works. Can the Minister at least inform us of the latest estimate of the total school repairs bill?

Answer from Damian Hinds

Keeping our school estates in the right condition for optimally educating children is of the foremost importance. Since 2015 we have allocated £15 billion to keeping schools safe and operational.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Total repairs bill estimate not provided

How: Mentioning Remediation Grants

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