Written question asked by David Laws (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 13 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 November 2007. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Monday, 19 November 2007 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

School Funding Settlement

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 12 November 2007, Official Report, columns 27-31WS, on the school funding settlement for 2008-09 to 2010-11 what assessment he has made of how schools can make the annual efficiency gains of 1 per cent. in each year from 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Answer: The Department recognises the need to support schools in improving value for money, and recently commissioned a study to assess the activities through which schools can operate more efficiently and the level of support required to ensure that schools have the right culture, capacity and capability to deliver improvements in value for money.This work has identified a range of activities in which schools may seek efficiency gains including leadership remodelling, the wider school workforce, collaboration and partnership, purchasing, strategic management and the level of challenge offered to schools. There is already strong support available to schools in many of these areas through the Department, local authorities and other partner organisations.The Department is now working towards a further package of support for schools, details of which will be announced in due course.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 165075; 467 c641-2W
Session: 2007-08
Related items: School Funding Settlement for 2008-09 to 2010-11
Monday, 12 November 2007
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects: Finance Schools
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk