As reported by BBC News, the government has committed to rebuilding 50 schools annually in England, aiming to replace deteriorating classrooms as part of a major funding boost ahead of the Budget
The government has pledged £1.4bn to meet a target of rebuilding 50 schools in England a year, so that children do not have to learn in “crumbling” classrooms
Chancellor Rachel Reeves made the spending commitment ahead of the autumn Budget next week, following warnings the School Rebuilding Programme is delayed. Head teachers’ unions have said more is needed for school buildings.
The funding pledge comes after the BBC revealed that 23 out of more than 500 schools on the School Rebuilding Programme had been completed so far, while the Department for Education (DfE) has been missing its targets for hiring builders.
The Treasury said the funding for the next financial year was a £550m increase on spending this year, which would “ramp up” progress towards 50 rebuilds per year.
It said overall spending on school and college buildings would be set out in the full Budget announcement.
Reeves said “protecting funding for education” was among her priorities, and that children “should not suffer” for the “mess” inherited by Labour.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she would “never accept that any child should learn in a crumbling classroom”.
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