Capital investment in schools to be accelerated

TdaNews Direct
Published: 27 November, 2008

The Government, in its pre-budget report, has announced that hundreds of school modernisation projects across England will be beginning quicker than originally planned.

Up to £800 million worth of capital investment will be accelerated by 12 months, with all 150 local authorities in England being asked by the Government to provide them with a definitive list of schools which desired refurbishment or rebuilding.

Funding will be made available to these organisations from April 2009.

Commenting on the decision, Children's Secretary Ed Balls said: "We're sweeping away the historic legacy of under-funded and under-resourced schools thanks to our sustained, record capital investment programme over the last decade.

"A world-class education system needs world-class facilities - that's exactly what we are delivering."

The proposals are all part of the Primary Capital Programme, which commits to renewing at least half of all primary schools in England by 2022-23 to create a well-equipped and modern environment for all pupils in the future.