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Spending Review 2020: What it means for education

Topics: Education Insights School Finances
Michael McVerry
Michael McVerry Managing Director 26 November 2020

Yesterday, the Chancellor delivered some positive news for education in the Spending Review 2020. This means new opportunities for many of our clients and education suppliers.  

I’ve pulled out the key updates below and highlighted how they might benefit you and your business. I’ve also included some handy tips on what to do with this information.


Budget overview

  • The Department for Education’s (DfE) overall budget will increase by £0.5 billion in cash terms next year, taking the core total to £76.4 billion.
  • There will be an increase to the school budget from £47.6 billion in 2020-21 to £49.8 billion in 2021-22.
  • By 2022-23, the core school budget will increase by £7.1 billion.
  • They will invest £291 million into further education in 2021-22, to ensure that core funding for 16 to 19-year-olds is maintained in real terms per learner. This is in addition to the £400 million that the government provided in 2019.

It’s positive news for all education suppliers!

Schools will have a bigger budget available to them during the next financial year. They’ll have more money to invest in developing the school, improving teaching and supporting their pupils.

Be sure to let them know your product or service is there for them to take advantage of


Infrastructure

  • The Department for Education is implementing a 10 year school rebuilding programme. The programme will launch with a commitment to 50 new school rebuilding projects a year across England.
  • There will be an investment of £1.8 billion in 2021-22 to maintain and improve the condition of school buildings.
  • The government will invest £72 million in 2021-22 to support the commitment to build 20 institutes of technology.
  • Funding will be available to support the government’s commitment to £1.5 billion to bring all further education college estates in England up to a good condition. 

If your business can provide anything from construction, maintenance and landscaping to skip hire, decorating and cleaning, plus anything in between, you need to make yourself visible in school decision makers’ inboxes.


Children’s support

  • £300 million will be available in 2021-22 for new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities, almost 4 times as much as the government provided to local authorities in 2020-21.
  • There will be £24 million in 2021-22 to start a new programme to maintain capacity and expand provision in secure children’s homes. This will provide high quality, safe homes for some of the most vulnerable children. 
  • £220 million will be available for a Holiday Activities and Food programme to provide enriching activities and a healthy meal for disadvantaged children in the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays in 2021.

Does your business provide a service or product that can help support SEND or vulnerable children?

Be sure to target your next marketing campaign towards SEND coordinators, child protection and safeguarding officers.


Teacher training

  • The government will invest £22 million to continue improving the quality of teaching, including funding for mentor time as part of the Early Careers Framework.

Whether your product or service can help teachers enhance their lessons or develop their skills, now is your time to shine.    


What next?

All in all, the Spending Review 2020 revealed that the next financial year looks extremely promising for schools, which in turn means there are amazing opportunities for education suppliers, just like you. 

However your business can support schools, make sure you’re targeting the relevant staff and designing stand-out marketing campaigns. If you need help with any of this our dedicated team are ready and waiting. 

Call us today on 01257 460036 or email us at info@buzz-education.com.