Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Stephen Twigg (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 21 November 2011 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Trends in Education and Schools Spending

Question: The IFS report shows that the Secretary of State is undertaking the largest cut in education spending since the 1950s, and that education capital will be cut by an eye-watering 57%. Can he tell us how that 57% cut compares to the average capital spending cut across all other Departments?

Answer: I am reminded by my hon. Friend the Minister of State with responsibility for children and families that it should be ““compares with””, not ““compares to.”” The truth is that under the last Government capital spending was poorly allocated and wastefully squandered, and we are now ensuring that money goes in particular to those primary schools in desperate need that were neglected when the hon. Gentleman, unfortunately, was not in government but so many of his colleagues were.

Secondary information