Written question asked by Howard Stoate (Labour) on Monday, 10 April 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 14 April 2000. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Friday, 14 April 2000 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the impact the Government's social exclusion policies are having on school attendance in Dartford. - Inc figures and fact that separate figures for schools in Dartford can be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

Answer: Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact the Government's social exclusion policies are having on school attendance in Dartford. [118822] Jacqui Smith: Our Social Inclusion: Pupil Support grant is providing nearly £500 million over three years to support Local Education Authorities and schools to introduce measures for tackling truancy and school exclusion. For 2000-01, Kent Local Education Authority, which has responsibility for schools in Dartford, will receive just over £3 million out of the grant to support projects. During 1998-99 attendance levels in Kent Local Education Authority have risen both at primary and secondary school level by 0.4 per cent. and 0.1 per cent. respectively. Separate figures for schools in Dartford can be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

Secondary information