BCSE response to emergency budget
22 June 2010Commenting on today's emergency budget, Ty Goddard, chief executive of the British Council for School Environments said:
"With no mention of the schools investment programme in the emergency budget we're still in flux in terms of the future of our school buildings.
A 25% cut in departmental spending offers the opportunity to focus on a zero tolerance approach to the bureaucracy surrounding the current school building programmes.
Taking a measured approach is key, but we also need to recognise that delaying decisions creates uncertainty for schools and local authorities, as well as the design and construction industry.
An independent review of the investment programme is urgently needed to help ensure that capital spending on schools infrastructure can be maintained. This should include looking at new and creative ways to refurbish, refresh or re-use buildings for schools."