Written question asked by Baroness Penn (Conservative) on Monday, 23 June 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2025. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 10 July 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Per Capita Costs

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the per-pupil funding when taking into account increased National Insurance contributions costs and increased eligibility for free school meals in each year of the Spending Review 2025 (CP1336); and what assessment they have made the level of per-pupil funding in those years compared to (1) 2023–24, and (2) 2024–25.

Answer: The department is providing schools with over £930 million in the 2025/26 financial year to support schools with the increases to employer National Insurance contributions from April 2025. This funding will be rolled into the schools national funding formula from 2026/27, ensuring that this additional funding forms an on-going part of schools’ core budgets. Total schools funding will increase by a further £4.2 billion, by the end of the Spending Review period.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL8727
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Spending Review 2025
Wednesday, 11 June 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects: Eligibility Employers' contributions Free school meals Per capita costs
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk