Education Funding

Bob Russell
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will hold a meeting at the earliest possible date with representatives of Essex local education authority and Essex head teachers to discuss education funding in Essex. [112442]

Mr. Miliband
[holding answer 12 May 2003]: Officials in my Department are in close contact with representatives of all LEAs to discuss funding issues.

Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will increase the funding for specialist colleges in line with the rate of inflation. [113175]

Mr. Miliband
The Department is currently considering the position in relation to whether to increase specialist school recurrent funding in 2003/04.

Ms Buck
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the total funding allocated by the Learning and Skills Council to institutions (a) in each region of England and (b) in total in (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04 (estimated). [113210]

Margaret Hodge
This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.