Schools Finance Timetable 2025/26 Budget

Final Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocations are expected by the DfE in December 2024. Local Authorities normally receive initial DSG allocation information from the DfE in the summer, that has been delayed this year and is now expected by 30 September 2024. 

• The deadline date for the Local Authority to return the Authority Proforma Tool (APT) to the DfE has not been published however it is expected to be around the 20 January 2025. The actual date will be confirmed once the DfE have announced it.
• The Local Authority is to prescribe the format of the budget plan and the budget information to be provided. This information will be sent to schools by Friday 28 February 2025.
• The date for all schools is subject to the statutory guidance ‘Scheme for Financing Local Authority Maintained Schools 2024 to 2025’. As such the date that governor approved budgets are required to be submitted to the Local Authority covering the period 2025-26 to 2027-28 is:
  
  Maintained schools - Friday 2 May 2025
  Maintained special schools - Friday 9 May 2025
   
• To help with planning, it is suggested that dates for budget submission for 2026-27 are also communicated to schools. Suggested dates are, however, this may be subject to change:
  
  Maintained schools - Friday 1 May 2026
  Maintained special schools- Friday 8 May 2026