School capital investment to be accelerated

ENGLAND – Hundreds of school modernisation projects are to start next year after the government announced it was accelerating up to £800 million (NZ$2.29 billion) capital investment by 12 months.

The Pre-Budget Report announced that funding originally earmarked for the Primary Capital Programme (PCP) and three other capital programmes in 2010-11 is now available in 2009-10.

Overall schools capital spending has risen seven-fold in real terms over the last decade – up from under £700m (NZ$2 billion) in 1997 to £6.67 billion (NZ$19.05 billion) this year.

This announcement adds to the capital investment already being pumped into schools next year.

All 150 local authorities in England are being asked to identify building and refurbishment spending which can be brought forward – with the funding being released from April 2009.

Any accelerated spending will be taken off the 2010-11 local authority allocations.
Children’s secretary Ed Balls said: “It’s very good news for the construction industry and small businesses across the country that we are boosting the economy by accelerating capital investment in schools over the next 12 months.

“This decision means that building or refurbishment projects, particularly in primaries, already costed, designed and ready to go can now start as soon as possible.

“It also means that local authorities can get even more value for money from current, larger projects by extending them with this funding advance.”

The government also reaffirmed its determination to tackling child poverty by announcing new legislation to enshrine the commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020 and raising Child Benefit.

Mr Balls said: “We are committed to eradicating child poverty and have already lifted 600,000 children out of poverty since 1997. The new legislation will outline our plans to help more families break out of the poverty trap – alongside the further measures announced to date to lift around a further 500,000 out of poverty.

“At a time when many families may be finding it harder to make ends meet, raising Child Benefit is vital so that more families – including those with disabled children – see the benefit of this commitment sooner.

“Government will work with local authorities to improve take-up of benefits and credits and Children’s Centres will be at the centre of this.”