Written question asked by Paul Robert Holmes (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 28 April 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 May 2004. It was answered by David Miliband (Labour) on Thursday, 6 May 2004 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, how many schools have increased accessiblity to children with learning disabilities through the School Access Initiatve; what funding will be provided for the initiative over the next three years; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.

Answer: Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools have increased accessibility to children with learning disabilities through the School Access Initiative; what funding will be provided for the initiative over the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [170612] Mr. Miliband: The Schools Access Initiative is designed to increase the accessibility of mainstream schools for pupils with disabilities. Over £274 million has been made available since the scheme began in 1996. A further £100 million will be made available each year for 2004-05 and 2005-06. Funding for the scheme beyond 2005-06 is subject to decisions relating to the outcome of the 2004 Spending Review. It is for local education authorities to decide which of the capital projects proposed by their schools should be supported in the light of local needs and circumstances detailed in their Accessibility Strategy. They are not required to provide us with information detailing how they have spent their allocation of the School Access Initiative to increase access to pupils with specific disabilities. It is therefore not possible to say how many schools have increased their accessibility for children with learning disabilities.

Secondary information