Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department’s news story Drive to create more good school places for families published on 11 May 2018, whether funding for new voluntary aided schools will be allocated on the basis of there being (a) a need for additional schools places and (b) demand for additional places in faith schools, and if he will make a statement.

As set out in the government’s response to the ‘Schools that work for everyone’ consultation, local authorities have a duty to plan and secure sufficient schools for their areas using their basic need funding, and by working with their partners, including providers of Church and other faith schools. In order for a proposal to qualify for funding under the scheme, applicants will need to demonstrate both a need for new school places, and to provide an assessment of demand for places at the school. We will be developing the detail of the scheme in the coming months.