Statement on BSF imminent, says senior minister

The fate of the Building Schools for the Future programme is expected to become clearer this week.

The leader of the House of Commons, George Young, told MPs last Thursday (24 June): “The outcome of the comprehensive spending review will be announced on 20 October, but I understand that a statement on Building Schools for the Future is likely to be made next week.”

Young was responding to a question from Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East.

Reynolds said several schools in her constituency were expecting investment under the BSF programme, adding that she was deeply concerned that they may have to wait until October to find out whether that investment would go ahead.

In a statement earlier this month (10 June), the Department for Education said it had not taken any decisions on BSF.

“The Department is reviewing BSF to ensure that when we build schools for the future, we do so in a more cost-effective and efficient fashion. Any future rollout decisions will be announced in due course.”