Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the savings accrued to the public purse identified by School Resource Management Advisers in relation to (a) the sale of unused buildings and land, (b) catering, (c) letting of facilities, (d) transport costs, (e) energy costs, (f) premises costs, (g) exam fees, (h) marketing, (i) recruitment and (j) IT systems and computers.

In 2017-18, School Resource Management Advisers (SRMAs) identified the potential for over £35 million savings and revenue generation opportunities as part of a pilot programme. The Department is now working with schools and academy trusts to compile data on the areas where SRMAs’ recommendations have been realised and actual savings made. This work will support schools to better manage their resources and deliver excellent education.

Schools spend more than £10 billion per year on non-staffing costs and the Department is supporting schools to get the best value for all their purchases through deals on insurance, recruitment, agency supply and many other categories. For example, advertising vacancies alone costs schools in the region of £75 million per year, and our Teaching Vacancies site provides free listings for all schools in England.