Gordon Brown has confirmed plans for large cash increases for schools in England.

The chancellor told MPs that spending on schools and universities is set to rise from £52 billion in 2004/05 to £64 billion in 2007/08.

Average per pupil spending will rise to at least £5,500 - which the education department says is more than twice 1997 levels.

Government Response: Department for Education and Skills

Education secretary Charles Clarke said: "Through this settlement the government is making a long-term commitment to developing education from the cradle to the grave. 

"This settlement will support the reforms I announced in my five year strategy. 

"It will continue the drive to achieve excellence and to narrow the gaps in attainment between schools and between pupils within individual schools.

"It will deliver higher participation in education beyond age 16, support wider participation in higher education, and will reduce the number of adults with low or no skills. 

"Through this investment we will expand the number of childcare places and the extended schools programme, bringing together education, health, children's social services and childcare."

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "The DfES has recently set out an ambitious five-year plan for our schools.

"The CSR, however generous it has been spun to seem, will be an inhibitory rather than a supportive factor. It will limit the possibilities of creating a balanced and forward-looking agenda.  

"ATL welcomes all attempts to make the DfES more efficient, but the chancellor seems totally wedded to the concept that more efficient means cheaper. Continuing to develop the social partnership which has delivered benefits to teachers, to pupils and to the government, will not be helped by squeezing the department until its pips squeak.

"We cautiously welcome the extension of nursery provision to two-year- olds.  It is all very well increasing the quantity, but it must be of a high quality. What provision is given to two-year-olds must be right for them and not just a watered-down version of what is currently offered to children at the age of three." 

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, PAT general secretary, said: "We welcome this major investment. We are pleased that the government is giving education and childcare the priority status they deserve. Investing in childcare and education is investing in the future.

"We just hope that the money will reach the nurseries, schools and colleges where it is needed to recruit, train and pay the extra staff that will be required."

Forum Response: Universities UK

A Universities UK spokesperson said: "Universities UK welcomes increased government funding for science and the
associated partnership with the Wellcome Trust which will generate matched
funding in this area.  We also welcome the announcement that it will now be
possible for university museums to provide free access without incurring tax
penalties. 

"However, we are still awaiting further details from the Department of
Education and Skills with higher education's proportion of the spending review settlement for education as a whole.

"Significant further money is still required for teaching infrastructure and pay modernisation so that the sector can meet the government's public service targets".