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Primary Capital Programme launch
Released 14/11/2008
Government approves LA schemes for rebuilding programme
The Primary Capital Programme has been given the go ahead for funding to start from April 2009.
The Government has approved building plans worth £3.55bn.
Children's Minister Ed Balls announced that the planned refurbishments and rebuilding of 1500 projects could now go ahead after the 133 LA primary capital strategies were approved.
A further 15 LAs will get tailored advice to ensure that their plans meet the standard within three months so that the funds can be released.
The latest move will see the government invest £1.75bn in the PCP with LAs investing a further £1.8bn.
This figure is on top of the £150m already invested in 23 pilot schemes in the last year.
Altogether the PCP will be investing £7bn in rebuilding and refurbishing half of all primary schools by 2022-23.
Ed Balls said: "This is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform primary education in every part of the country - to sweep away buildings now reaching the end of their shelf life and drive up the quality of our schools.
"A decade ago many classroom facilities were in an appalling condition. Children deserve the best facilities that we can build and teachers deserve better classrooms to work in.
"Schools are now being revolutionised by the biggest, sustained capital investment for 50 years - benefiting every single primary, secondary, academy and special school in England," said Balls.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "We are giving targeted, expert support to 15 local authorities, with plans not yet ready to approve - so these can be signed off before capital funding is released. We will work with a further 92 local authorities to strengthen their plans, so we can confirm levels of future funding as soon as possible."