PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Schools: Costs (14 December 2016)

We want schools to have the resources they need so that every child has access to an education that develops their potential. We have protected the core schools budget in real terms overall. In 2016-17 it will be the largest ever on record, totalling over £40 billion.

We are introducing a national fair funding formula so schools are funded according to their pupils’ needs. This will give head teachers certainty over their future budgets, helping them make long term plans and secure further efficiencies.

Like other public services, we recognise the increasing cost pressures schools are facing, for example from pay increases and employers’ contributions to National Insurance and pensions. On a per pupil basis, these pressures are estimated at around 8% between 2016-17 and 2019-20. They sit alongside significant scope for efficiency in the system – on procurement and back office spend, where we have set an ambition of at least £1 billion of savings by 2019-20, and through better deployment and use of the workforce.

We have already published a wide range of tools and support to help schools be more efficient and financially healthy, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/schools-financial-health-and-efficiency.

We will continue to provide advice and support to help schools use their funding in cost effective ways, and improve the way they buy goods and services, so they get the best possible value for their pupils.