Question reference: S6W-09117
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 15 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 23 June 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it uses data from 2020 to apportion Pupil Equity Funding allocations, and, if so, (a) for what reason and (b) what plans it has to use more up-to-date figures.
Answer
Data from the 2020 Healthy Living Survey was one of the components used to determine 2022-23 Pupil Equity Fund allocations.
Due to COVID-19 disruption, the full Healthy Living Survey could not take place in 2021. The previous year’s data was therefore used to prepare funding allocations which aligned with pre-existing PEF allocations to ensure there was no major, disruptive fluctuation between years.
We have listened to headteachers and provided certainty to support long term planning to build on the excellent work we know headteachers are doing by setting PEF allocations for the next four years. In response to fluctuating demand brought on by the pandemic, we have increased allocations to £1,225 from £1,200.
Officials continue to review possible alternatives to Free School Meal data, and a decision on which datasets will be used will be made at the end of that four-year cycle.