NAHT Cymru has released their analysis of local authority education spending figures. The figures show that 14 authorities are still failing to spend 100% of their IBA (Indicative Based Assessment) which was identified by the Assembly Government as a target for education spending.
The figures show:
- Col A: 14 out of 22 authorities have spent less than they said they would (i.e. less than the IBA). The lowest is Monmouthshire at 94.3% of the IBA.
- Cols G, F, E: Authorities are holding back a higher percentage of funds centrally. On average only 75.6% of funding actually arrives in school budgets. Centrally retained funds can amount to as much as £1500 per pupil. The % of centrally retained funding is increasing sharply in most areas. An average 10.9% increase across Wales.
- Col M: Substantial sums remain unallocated. There is no information about what happens to them at the end of the financial year. In one authority alone, this unallocated sum amounts to £2000 per school in that authority area.
Iwan Guy, NAHT Cymru school funding consultant said:
"Unless WAG is prepared to take a more proactive role in monitoring the expenditure and take action when authorities spend below the IBA, we feel that the only way forward to secure school funding would be to ringfence spending on education."
Anna Brychan, Director of NAHT Cymru said:
“Our members will be very concerned about the picture revealed by these figures. We hope they will take them to their local school budget forums and demand answers.”
You can view the analysis by following the link attached.
Gwybodaeth pellach/Further information:
Iwan Guy – 07980 278008
Anna Brychan – 07939 270821
