Written question asked by Lord Brady of Altrincham (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 September 2003. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 8 September 2003 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, in what exceptional circumstances local authorities will be free to passport less than the full increase in schools formula spending share to schools.

Answer: Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in what exceptional circumstances local authorities will be free to passport less than the full increase in schools formula spending share to schools. [127927] Alan Johnson: The Secretary of State's statement of 17 July on school funding made clear the Government's expectation that "barring wholly exceptional circumstances, each and every LEA should `passport' the full increase in its Schools Formula Spending Share (SPSS) into a matching increase in the Schools Budget". In considering whether or not to use his reserve power to set a minimum schools budget for the following financial year for any LEA proposing not to passport, the Secretary of State will consider all relevant circumstances including the reasons put forward by the LEA. He has made no pre-judgment on what would be considered exceptional. The current expectation is that every authority will passport and the Government will ensure that every local authority receives sufficient central Government grant to "passport" in full the increase in SPSS into its Schools Budget.

Secondary information