Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Helen Hayes and David Gauke

Tuesday 18th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab)]

3. What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education to ensure the protection of money following each child under the proposed new schools funding formula.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

The Government are protecting the total core schools budget in real terms. That is possible only through careful management of the economy. As a result, school funding is at its highest ever level, at almost £41 billion in 2017-18. Spending will increase to £42 billion in 2019-20 as pupils numbers rise. We are also delivering our manifesto commitment to implement fairer schools funding. The recent national funding formula consultation includes generous transitional protections for schools that would see a reduction in their funding. The Government are carefully considering replies to the consultation and will respond in the summer.

[Helen Hayes]

The 2015 Conservative manifesto promised that

“the amount of money following your child into school will be protected”.

However, the National Audit Office found that schools face a real-terms cut of 8% per pupil by 2019-20, even before the cuts the new national funding formula will bring to more than 9,000 schools in England. Will the Government therefore confirm that the Tory manifesto pledge on per pupil funding is now in tatters?

[Mr Gauke]

Not at all. We are protecting the total schools budget in real terms and implementing our manifesto commitment to introduce fairer funding. It is right that we do so.