Written question WQ88638

I recognise that the cost-of-living crisis is putting schools and local authorities under significant pressure, and that there are no easy answers to resolving the issues being faced. However, we know it is vital that communication channels are active during these especially difficult times and we are engaging closely with local government on the budget and other issues.

The amount of funding set aside for school budgets is for local authorities to determine, the Welsh Government does not fund schools directly. The Welsh Government provides funding to LAs for pre-16 provision in schools in Wales mainly through the Local Government Revenue Settlement in the form of the Revenue Support Grant (RSG).

Decisions on the level of funding available to schools and to other services are made by each authority as part of their overall budget and council tax setting.

Despite our budget this year being up to £900m lower in real terms than expected initially, we ensured local authorities, who fund schools, received an increase of 7.9% to their budgets compared to the previous year so that they can continue to prioritise school funding. Also, as a result of spending decisions made in relation to education in England, Wales received consequential funding of £117m in the Autumn Statement. This is being provided in full to local government.

Local authorities are required by law to have an established School Forum. The purpose of a School Forum is to help develop informed and confident dialogue between local authorities and their schools on budgetary issues.