Allocation methodology and funding level for 1+2 Language Learning policy: FOI release

Information requested

1) The Scottish Government's methodology for allocating funding to Local Authorities to support implementation of the 1+2 Language Learning policy.

2) The total level of financial resource allocated to each of the 32 Local Authorities in 2019/20, 2018/19,
2017/18 and 2016/17, ideally broken down by Local Authority.

Response

1) The Scottish Government provides funding to Local Authorities for the continued development of enhanced languages provision in schools arising from the 1+2 language policy. The Scottish Government recognises the scale of ambition that this policy requires and that it will take time and continued commitment to ensure that there is sustained implementation of the aims of the policy. Since 2013-14, the Scottish Government has provided Local Authorities with a total of £30.2m. The breakdown for each year is as follows:
2013-14: £4m
2014-15: £5m
2015-16: £7.2m
2016-17: £5m
2017-18: £3m
2018-19: £3m
2019-20: £3m
The funding is paid as an additional General Revenue Grant under the Concordat between the Confederation of Local Authorities (COSLA) and the Scottish Government (see more information at
https://www.gov.scot/policies/local-government/local-government-revenue/). As such, it has no separate terms and conditions attached to it and is not ring-fenced. If the funding is not used in full within a financial year, any underspend can be placed into reserves for use on 1+2 language policy activity in later years. The funding is reviewed on a yearly basis and the recommendation is sent for approval to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.
The allocation to each authority is based upon the numbers of pupils in their schools, drawn from the pupil census taken the previous year. This distribution methodology was agreed by the joint Scottish Government/COSLA Settlement and Distribution Group. Using this methodology, the allocation for each Local Authority is published in the Local Government Finance Circular (Annex E), published each year as part of the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order.

2) Most of the information you have requested is available from the Scottish Government website at:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-government-finance-circulars-index/
Allocations are available in the Annex E of each of the document:
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-government-finance-circular-2-2019-settlement-for-2019-2020/
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-government-finance-circular-42018/
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-government-finance-circular-12017-settlement-for-2017-2018/
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-government-finance-circular-12016-settlement-for-2016-2017/
Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. 

 

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