Written question WQ91149

Differences in spending per learner across similar schools partly reflects the different funding formulae used by each local authority.

While local authorities across Wales use learner numbers as a common basis to determine funding allocations, other components vary across authorities. Additional factors such as size and condition of buildings, rates, deprivation factors and additional learning needs of learners may be taken into account in local authority formulas.

The statistics published are purely delegated budgets at the start of the financial year and do not include any money held centrally by local authorities and spent on behalf of schools.

We are seeking to address the inconsistencies in budget reporting arrangements and will continue to work with local authorities to reduce the complexity of formulae to make them more consistent across areas to increase transparency and reduce funding differences across similar schools.