CLAW BACK OF SCHOOL BALANCES

Early day motion 2105, tabled 15 October 2007 by David Laws (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 42 members.

That this House condemns the Government plans to claw back up to £225 million over the next three years from the cash balances held by some 20,500 English schools; notes that such a policy would penalise schools which have budgeted prudently, including those which have saved up for a major capital investment scheme; further notes that the five per cent. claw back will be imposed on balances as of March 2007, even when these balances have been spent since that date; believes that this is a backward step which will undermine the freedom of individual schools; considers that head teachers and governing bodies of schools are better able to make judgements about managing their financial positions than ministers and civil servants in Whitehall; and calls upon the Government to withdraw immediately its plans to claw back money from school balances.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 37, Labour 3, Conservative 1, DUP 1.