The government announced the distribution of 1.4 billion in extra funding for English local education authorities in 2003-04. It said that a new system for determining allocations is 'fairer, simpler, more transparent and more up-to-date', and that it 'better reflects recent social and population changes in England'.
Source: Press releases 5.12.02 and 19.12.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release (5.12.02) | Press release (19.12.02)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/3, Digest 119, paragraph 3.1
Date: 2002-Dec
The government announced details of increased education and skills funding up to 2005-06. The Secretary of State for Education described the increases in school spending as 'unprecedented for a generation', and said that they would be matched with 'real reform to create a world class system of education and training at all ages'.
Source: Press releases 9.12.02 and 19.12.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 9.12.02, columns 22-36, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 19.12.02, columns 67-73WS, TSO
Links: DfES press release (9.12.02) | DfES press release (19.12.02) | Hansard (9.12.02) | Hansard (19.12.02) | Table of 2002 spending review education announcements
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/3, Digest 119, paragraph 3.1
Date: 2002-Dec
The second report was published of an independent evaluation of the National Grid for Learning Programme in England, designed to increase the use of information technology in schools. It said local education authorities need expert consultancy advice on procurement, financial and contractual matters.
Source: Bridget Somekh et al., NGfL Pathfinders: Second report on the roll-out of the NGfL programme in ten pathfinder LEAs, ICT in Schools Research and Evaluation Series 10, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
The annual edition of 'Education and Training Statistics for the United Kingdom' was published. Chapters related to expenditure; schools; post-compulsory education and training; qualifications; destinations; population; and international comparisons. It included a new table reporting UK-wide eligibility for, and take-up of, free school meals.
Source: Education and Training Statistics for the United Kingdom: 2002 Edition, Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
The government announced a radical expansion of the specialist schools programme. There will be no limit on the numbers that can take part - meaning that any school meeting the required standard will be able to become specialist. Schools which are unable to raise the 50,000 private sponsorship needed will be able to seek support from a new government fund.
Source: Press release 28.11.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
A pamphlet said that the cost of state education will soon exceed that in private schools: the average cost per pupil at a state school in Britain today is between 4,500 and 5,000 a year, compared to an average of just over 5,000 at private day schools.
Source: Nick Seaton, The True Cost of State Education, Centre for Policy Studies (020 7222 4488)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Oct
Total expenditure on education and training (central government and local authority expenditure combined) rose by 26 per cent between 1992-93 and 2001-02, with a 22 per cent increase since 1997-98.
Source: Education and Training Expenditure since 1992-93, Statistical Bulletin 06-02, Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Bulletin (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 3.1
Date: 2002-Sep
A consultation paper was published on proposed simplifications to the allocation of capital funding for 'Basic Need' (the excess of forecast demand for pupil places over the existing schools capacity to provide them). The government said its aim was to simplify the process by making allocations on a formulaic basis, thus reducing administrative burdens while at the same time increasing transparency, and enabling a wider range of needs to be addressed (such as expanding popular and successful schools).
Source: Investment to Support the Provision of New Pupil Places in Schools, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Consultation Paper (pdf)
Date: 2002-Aug
Under the 2002 Spending Review, spending on local government services will rise on average by 3.9 per cent in real terms over the three years to 2005-06. There will be a 'reward grant' of 635 million for authorities which achieve targets under local public service agreements.
Source: Opportunity and Security for All: Investing in an Enterprising, Fairer Britain: New Public Spending Plans 2003-2006, White Paper Cm 5570, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: White Paper | Treasury press release | ODPM press release
Date: 2002-Jul
Under the 2002 Spending Review, education spending in England will rise by 6 per cent a year between 2002-03 and 2005-06, from 45.0 billion to 57.8 billion (the latter equivalent to an estimated 5.6 per cent of gross domestic product). The government published a strategy document showing how the extra money will be spent, and promised a 'dramatic' rise in secondary school standards.
Source: Opportunity and Security for All: Investing in an Enterprising, Fairer Britain: New Public Spending Plans 2003-2006, White Paper Cm 5570, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Investment for Reform, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260) | Press release 15.7.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: White Paper | Treasury press release | Hansard | Investment for Reform (pdf) | DfES press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 3.1
Date: 2002-Jul
