Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted
Shift funding from short-term repairs to comprehensive upgrades and rebuilds for high-risk schools.
Conclusion
Funding should move beyond short-term patching and repairs toward comprehensive upgrades and rebuilds, prioritising schools beyond their design life and those posing the greatest safety risks. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49)
Government Response Summary
The Government claims it is already addressing the issue of school funding through the Education Estates Strategy, the School Rebuilding Programme (investing almost £20 billion through to 2034-35, covering 750 schools) and almost £3 billion per year invested by 2034–35 in capital maintenance. Renewal and Retrofit Programme is backed by over £700 million to 2029-30.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Education Estates Strategy, set out a long-term plan for the education estate. At its core is more proactive management, long-term strategic maintenance and renewal that prioritises condition need, risk and resilience alongside delivering high-quality new buildings where they are needed. We are investing almost £20 billion in the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034–35, delivering rebuilding projects at over 750 schools. There are over 519 schools already in the programme, with well over half in delivery, and a further 250 schools will be selected by early 2027. Places will be prioritised for schools and sixth-form colleges in the worst condition and in the local areas where places are needed now and in the future. The nomination round is open with guidance and criteria on GOV.UK. Due to the variety of building methods and materials in the estate, we do not anticipate including any specific system or construction types as a matter of course. The Government has also committed to investing almost £3 billion per year by 2034–35 in capital maintenance to improve the condition of the school and college estate. This is alongside a new Renewal and Retrofit Programme backed by over £700 million to 2029–30. This will deliver renewal projects to improve the condition of school and college buildings and increase resilience to climate change so buildings can last for decades to come and are net zero ready.