02 July 2004
A national education funding quango would be a 'retrograde step' for the sector, which must retain local flexibilities in determining how schools receive and spend cash, according to the incoming chair of the Local Government Association.
Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart's statement followed heated political exchanges between the main parties over the future of education and its part in the 'choice' agenda.
While no party has publicly backed the idea of a national funding quango, the concept has been floated. It could be the next step after direct funding for schools, which Conservative leader Michael Howard has mooted. He is also adamant he would free schools from Whitehall control.
But Bruce-Lockhart, Tory leader of Kent County Council, said: 'I strongly agree that more financial freedom and autonomy for schools will help deliver higher standards. However, the distribution of funding should not be centralised or nationalised.'
Howard unveiled his education masterplan on June 29, vowing to give parents more choice over their child's school by creating around 600,000 extra places.
The government will announce its five-year education plan next week.
PFjul2004
