School Funding (Norfolk) - Education Question in the House

Speech by Norman Lamb delivered to Children's Minister Margaret Hodge on Thu 18th Mar 2004

Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) (LD): If he will make a statement on the funding of schools in Norfolk.

The Minister for Children (Margaret Hodge): Our proposals to restore stability and certainty to school funding include an increase in all authorities' school formula spending share of at least 5 per cent. per pupil next year: that is what Norfolk will receive. Norfolk will also receive £5.3 million of transitional grant, which will be used to help schools in particular financial difficulties balance their budgets by 2006-07.

Norman Lamb: I thank the Minister for that answer, but I draw her attention to the results of a survey of local head teachers that I have just conducted, which shows that as a result of the budget settlements 38 per cent. believe that they will have to cut the number of teachers or teaching hours and 45 per cent. are looking to cut the number of learning support assistants. Given the extra money that is going in, why are those rural schools experiencing such damaging cuts? What message will she send to schools in that very difficult situation?

Margaret Hodge: I saw a report of the survey in the hon. Gentleman's local newspaper. I hope that he is as content as I am that the local education authority is working very closely with schools to ensure that budgets for next year and the year after are stabilised and that there is no damage to pupils' educational achievement. The statement made yesterday by the Chancellor gives the best hope possible for Norfolk children, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will applaud it in the same way as I do.