MPs question value for money

The public accounts committee said the responsibility for more than £56 billion of education spending must be "clearly defined and articulated."

But that the Department for Education's "accountability system statement" revealed that it would be relying on "a mix of local accountability mechanisms, information systems, inspection and oversight bodies.

"Responsibility for value for money is shared by the department with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, the Young People's Learning Agency and the Department for Communities and Local Government," the committee said.

"However, the statement does not yet clearly describe the specific responsibilities of each body for achieving value for money, how these will interact to drive value for money, or how the department will assess value for money across the entire education system."

National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower said: "The DfE is removing local authorities' ability to support schools in managing their budgets and to ensure accountability. All schools including academies should be working within a consistent and democratically accountable locally based framework."

NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said that "the consequences of the drive for excessive autonomy for schools are now becoming evident.

"The secretary of state recklessly has swept aside key financial safeguards, including abolishing financial management standards, removing the requirement for schools to secure best value for public money and diminishing the role of local authorities in securing good financial management practices in schools," she added.