Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Walney Excerpts

Monday 21st November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab)]

3. What assessment he has made of the findings of the report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies on Trends in Education and Schools Spending.

[John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op)]

13. What assessment he has made of the findings of the report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies on Trends in Education and Schools Spending.

[Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)]

17. What assessment he has made of the findings of the report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies on Trends in Education and School Spending.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Gove]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for praising head teachers in Rochdale. Head teachers everywhere are doing a fantastic job with limited resources. The one thing that I hope I shall be able to work with the hon. Gentleman to ensure is that head teachers can make those resources go even further by allowing their schools to convert to academy status.

[John Woodcock]

The report shows that capital spending on schools was the fastest-growing component under Labour, but that we shall see the biggest cut under the Secretary of State’s plans. In Barrow, a vital development is currently being upheld at the planning stage by Conservative councillors. Will the Secretary of State guarantee full funding for the project if those planning objections are dismissed?