Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2015, to Question 31427, whether her Department plans to provide additional funding to enable 25 per cent of secondary schools to extend their school day in the event that less than £285 million is available from the soft drinks industry levy.

The Chancellor announced in his Budget statement that up to £285 million a year would be made available to give 25% of secondary schools increased opportunity to extend their school day to offer a wider range of activities for pupils. The soft drinks industry levy is expected to raise £520 million in the first year and the revenue will contribute to this funding.

It is also confirmed that the Barnett formula will be applied to spending on this initiative in the normal way.