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<p>Prior to 2018-19, local authorities were free to determine the balance of funding
between their schools, high needs and early years budgets, all funded from the Dedicated
Schools Grant (DSG). It is not possible to give figures for transfers from the schools
block to high needs, as the precise amounts spent by local authorities will also be
affected by transfers to and from DSG reserves, and any funding from other sources
(for instance, local authorities’ general funds) spent on educational purposes.</p><p>In
2018-19, with the introduction of the national funding formulae for schools and high
needs, we have limited this flexibility in order to ensure that the majority of schools
funding that local authorities receive is going directly to schools.</p><p>Local authorities
are able to move up to 0.5% of their funding from the schools block to the high needs
block, with agreement of their schools forum. This is explained in the high needs
operational guide, available at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-needs-funding-arrangements-2019-to-2020"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-needs-funding-arrangements-2019-to-2020</a>.
Where a local authority wishes to move more funding, or the forum does not agree to
the transfer, the local authority will be required to seek recourse to my right hon.
Friend the Secretary of State for Education. Last year, after thorough consideration,
13 local authorities were granted the ability to move funding under these circumstances.</p><p>We
will publish data shortly showing the amount of schools block funding the local authorities
has allocated this year, compared to the amount they received, thereby providing an
indication of funding directed to other areas, such as high needs.</p><p> </p><p>
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