Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of increasing pupil numbers, what assessment they have made of the need for schools to make efficiency savings; and what action they are taking to support schools in this regard, including making savings in procurement and workforce spending.

We want schools to have the resources they need so that every child has access to an education that fulfils their potential. We have protected the core schools budget in real terms overall. This year, it is the largest ever on record, totalling over £40 billion.

We recognise that schools, as with other public services, are facing broader cost pressures. In response to this we have produced tools, information and guidance for schools financial health and efficiency, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/schools-financial-health-and-efficiency.

We also know there is significant scope for savings in non-pay and procurement costs. We have launched a school buying strategy to support schools to seek to save over £1bn a year by 2019-20 on their non-staff spend.

The collection also includes Workforce Planning Guidance for schools. This guidance contains links to advice and case studies, as well as lists of options and questions for school leaders to consider when reviewing their staff structures.