Section 251: 2025 to 2026
Information for local authorities, schools and the general public about local authority education funding and expenditure plans for 2025 to 2026.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
Introduction
Section 251 is part of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009.
Local authorities submit statements of planned and actual expenditure on education and children’s social care.
The Department for Education uses the data for publishing statistics, constructing benchmarking tables, answering parliamentary questions and responding to other data requests.
Comparing information is important for schools forums and others in discussions about budget levels and use of funds.
Section 251 budget guidance
The administrative direction is a formal request for the collection of section 251 data. It’s prepared on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education.
Read the section 251 budget guidance to find out how local authorities should complete their budget statements.
Use the section 251 XML generator to provide details of actual expenditure for your schools.
Read the COLLECT guidance for section 251 budget to find out how to use the COLLECT system to upload, amend and submit your data.
Updates to this page
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COLLECT guidance for completing the Section 251 budget return has been added.
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First published.