The figures being used for the council’s education spend (199899) were incorrect as we have been saying for the past six months. The TES again reported the original, inaccurate figures. We are also not one of the 18 authorities written to by the Education and Employment Secretary, which underlines his department’s acknowledgement of our real position.

The actual position for the council in 199899 was that our underspend compared with our education standard spending assessment was pound;664,000 or 1 per cent. Spending on our schools was above the SSA.

This year, 19992000, we will be spending above SSA and our education revenue budget has increased by 7 per cent compared with last year. For both years, all other council services have taken budget cuts. In addition, the Labour group on the council has made a unique commitment. This guarantees school budget funding for the next three years.

Christine Davies

Director, education and training

Telford and Wrekin Council

Telford

Shropshire

The editor writes: The figures for local authority Standard Spending Assessments and education budgets used in this article were provided by the Department for Education and Employment and published in its annual report.