Written question asked by Lord Blunkett (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 October 1996. It was answered by Robin Squire (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 October 1996 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: What estimate she has made or received of the cost of administration arising from the voucher scheme, in respect of (a) each of the pilot local education authorities, (b) providers in each area and (c) her Department. - Includes ref to 276 c347-8W for grant aid to the four local education authorities taking part in the first phase.

Answer: Mr. Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she has made or received of the cost of administration arising from the voucher scheme, in respect of (a) each of the pilot local education authorities, (b) providers in each area and (c) her Department. [40530] Mr. Squire: Grant aid was made available to the four local education authorities taking part in the first phase of the voucher scheme in respect of the extra costs incurred in participating in phase 1 compared to joining phase 2. Details were set out on 29 April 1996, Official Report, column 348. No detailed estimate of administration costs has been made in respect of providers in each area. The estimated cost of administering the nursery voucher scheme from April 1997 is not expected to exceed 2.7 per cent. of the total cost of the nursery voucher scheme. Some two-thirds of the administration costs are expected to cover the new system of inspection.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 40530; 282 c995W;282 c993W
Session: 1995-96
Subjects: Administration Costs Education Pre-school education Voucher schemes
Contains statistics: Yes