Education spending in Q1 2011 set to rise

BESA figures reveal the sector will buck the trend in the face of planned cutbacks

Despite austerity measures, education sector spending in Q1 next year is set to be higher than 2010, according to the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA).

Its latest report – the Market Performance Outlook January-March 2011 – reveals that despite overall spending in 2011 expected to be 3.5 per cent lower, spending in the first quarter will increase by £3m compared with the same period this year.

BESA breaks the Q1 IT spending into £1.3m by Early Years schools, £48.2m by primary schools and £26.2m by secondary schools. The organisation said the figures will give the looming BETT show a much-needed shot in the arm.

Debbie French, event director at BETT, agreed.

“The figures released by BESA are certainly encouraging for all exhibitors attending BETT in January,” said French. “We anticipate 30,000 visitors this year including ministers for education and association leaders. As technology is increasingly integrated into education it is crucially important that budgets are appropriately allocated to include ICT solutions spend.”