There would be an extra £132 for every schoolchild in Harrow, and £41 for each one in Brent, if schools got more of the money actually allocated to them and red tape was cut, the Government has claimed.

Education spending by local authorities, including the two boroughs, is to be scrutinised by the Government because of huge variations in spending strategies, with £140 million spent on costs councils would incur even if they had no direct responsibility for education.

The Department for Education and Employment compared LEAs' 1997-98 budgets with the highest delegating council and the total amount each held back for other costs.

In Brent, nearly 95 per cent is delegated, the third highest, but Harrow gives under 91 per cent, placing it 61st.

The figures also show that in 1996-97, Harrow held back over £1 million, 1.2 per cent of the £91.8 million delegated to it, and Brent nearly £400,000, 0.5 per cent of its £84.7 million.

A Harrow Council spokesman said: "The current requirement for the amount of delegated budget to be released is 85 per cent, and we are exceeding this, which also covers maintenance costs.

"We have consulted with governing bodies and they are happy with that level of delegation."

Brent Council did not comment.

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