BSF approves schools and academies
Half of the schools placed under review by the governments Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme, have been given the go-ahead.
Education Secretary Michael Gove, said 33 local authority 'sample' schools will now be allowed to proceed, after reaching the end of the talks.
The announcement was described by Gove as "good news" and affects schools in 14 council regions. The announcement will be welcomed by those working in jobs in construction, as last month, there were fears that few building projects would take place after the BSF scheme was cut, effectively stopping the building work at more than 730 schools.
It was also revealed that 44 academy projects already at an advanced stage in a national rebuilding programme will receive capital but as a result, the remaining 75 academy projects will have their funding reviewed during the autumn spending review.
Many local authorities will have spent millions of pounds on planning schemes, which will now not go ahead, but the Department of Education has said it is already working with major construction companies to help reduce building costs.
Gove told The Construction Index: "Planning for these projects is well advanced and we are keen they should proceed without further delay. I'm determined that we press ahead with the Academies programme and want all those schools identified as future academies to enjoy the freedoms and benefits academy status brings.
"We will also work with councils, sponsors and the construction industry to ensure we bear down on costs and bureaucracy so every new school is built in as cost-effective and efficient a way as possible," he added.
Author: Hannah McLaverty-Williamson
Keywords: jobs in construction