More than 90 per cent of local authorities have passported the designated amount to schools. The rest has been spent on essential central services.

For years local government has spent more money on schools than the Government proposes. At the moment thi stands at more than pound;600 million. Local government has also matched 50 per cent of the Government’s contribution to the Standards Fund. The LGA is concerned at many schools’ inability to spend their revenue balance. Some pound;600m is currently sitting in schools’ bank accounts.

Graham Lane Local Government Association Education executive chair Local Government House Smith Square, London SW1