Education funds 'not misappropriated'

Somerset County Council has angrily denied claims by a Conservative MP that it has "misappropriated" education funds.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater, made the comments during Prime Ministers Question time on Wednesday.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled council now says Mr Liddell-Grainger must substantiate his allegations, or apologise.

The acrimony stems in part from May, when the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) stated that the LEA was holding back £9.45m.

This was denied at the time by the council, which said the money was unallocated funding to be released to schools throughout the year.

The money has gone to schools. It is an outrageous allegation Councillor Cathy Bakewell

The DfES has since told the BBC that it is satisfied the money is going to schools.

Ian Liddell-Grainger told the House of Commons: "Last week we had an excellent meeting with two Somerset colleagues and the Secretary of State for Education.

"We asked to see him because of the scandalous mismanagement of funds by the Liberal Democrat-controlled council."

Appearing later on BBC television, he said: "We went to see the Secretary of State and he made clear that he has reservations. And the Prime Minister said, 'We have given the money, where is the money?'

"And that is what Charles Clarke has got people working on at the moment."

'Extra scrutiny'

He added: "I have been contacted over the last year by teachers, parents and governors who say the money isn't there in the schools."

Councillor Cathy Bakewell, leader of the authority, said the county was underfunded, but insisted: "The money has gone to schools. It is an absolutely outrageous allegation. I want him to produce his evidence.

"We have been very open about our funding. We have been working with councillors and MPs from across all parties in a bid to get a better deal from the government.

"If we had anything to hide does Mr Liddell-Grainger really think we would be exposing ourselves to extra scrutiny?

"We want him to come to County Hall to meet the officers and members face-to-face and fully explain what he believes they are doing wrong."