Menu
27/08/2014
£1bn Shortage In Funding For School Places - LGA
Councils are warning there is a £1bn shortage in school places funding.
It has been said that councils have abandoned building projects, cut back on school maintenance and borrowed money in order to pay for a school place for every child, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
Research released today shows over three-quarters of councils who responded to an LGA survey did not receive enough Government money to create the extra school places needed in their area between 2011/12 and 2016/17.
To make sure no child has been left without a place, councils borrowed money, used cash earmarked for other building programmes or created places with money intended to be spent on renovating crumbling school buildings and classrooms.
Councillor David Simmonds, Chairman of the LGA's Children and Young People's Board, said: "Mums and dads expect their child to be able to get a place at a good local school and this research shows councils are delivering, but at a cost. Since the pressure on places first emerged, councils have been getting on with the job of creating more, and welcome though Government funding is, it is nothing like the full cost.
"This research lays bare the financial impact on councils of providing school places, which stands at more than £1 billion over a five-year period. The lack of school places is no longer confined to primary schools but is spreading to secondary schools, and across the country we estimate more than 200,000 places will be needed.
"Councils face a challenge to create places on time and in the right areas, in a climate where they are also short of money to do so. Additionally, much of the decision making about new school places rests in the hands of the Government, whose funding for school places came too late. As a consequence, councils are carrying a billion pounds worth of costs which has come from other areas.
"The Government should budget for enough money to ensure something as vitally important as providing school places is not funded from other areas. This is an investment in the future which will benefit us all."
(CD/JP)
It has been said that councils have abandoned building projects, cut back on school maintenance and borrowed money in order to pay for a school place for every child, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
Research released today shows over three-quarters of councils who responded to an LGA survey did not receive enough Government money to create the extra school places needed in their area between 2011/12 and 2016/17.
To make sure no child has been left without a place, councils borrowed money, used cash earmarked for other building programmes or created places with money intended to be spent on renovating crumbling school buildings and classrooms.
Councillor David Simmonds, Chairman of the LGA's Children and Young People's Board, said: "Mums and dads expect their child to be able to get a place at a good local school and this research shows councils are delivering, but at a cost. Since the pressure on places first emerged, councils have been getting on with the job of creating more, and welcome though Government funding is, it is nothing like the full cost.
"This research lays bare the financial impact on councils of providing school places, which stands at more than £1 billion over a five-year period. The lack of school places is no longer confined to primary schools but is spreading to secondary schools, and across the country we estimate more than 200,000 places will be needed.
"Councils face a challenge to create places on time and in the right areas, in a climate where they are also short of money to do so. Additionally, much of the decision making about new school places rests in the hands of the Government, whose funding for school places came too late. As a consequence, councils are carrying a billion pounds worth of costs which has come from other areas.
"The Government should budget for enough money to ensure something as vitally important as providing school places is not funded from other areas. This is an investment in the future which will benefit us all."
(CD/JP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 January 2015
Crunch On School Places Could Reach 'Tipping Point' - LGA
Schools may be pushed to "breaking point" after council leaders are warning ahead of the deadline for primary school admissions. Thursday, 15 January, is the deadline for parents to apply for primary school places for September 2015. The parents of some 370,000 three- and four-year-olds will apply for a school place for their child.
Crunch On School Places Could Reach 'Tipping Point' - LGA
Schools may be pushed to "breaking point" after council leaders are warning ahead of the deadline for primary school admissions. Thursday, 15 January, is the deadline for parents to apply for primary school places for September 2015. The parents of some 370,000 three- and four-year-olds will apply for a school place for their child.
09 November 2005
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
16 April 2014
Lack Of Places Will Leave Thousands Without First Choice School
Parents across England are to receive notification of which primary schools their children have been offered places in, with many expected to find out they have missed out on their preferred choice.
Lack Of Places Will Leave Thousands Without First Choice School
Parents across England are to receive notification of which primary schools their children have been offered places in, with many expected to find out they have missed out on their preferred choice.
14 March 2014
Secondary Schools Need More Places
A third of local authorities in England and Wales need to take urgent action to increase their school places to meet increasing demand according to a report released by the Local Government Association (LGA). The figures show that 80,000 new places may be needed by 2020.
Secondary Schools Need More Places
A third of local authorities in England and Wales need to take urgent action to increase their school places to meet increasing demand according to a report released by the Local Government Association (LGA). The figures show that 80,000 new places may be needed by 2020.
25 September 2012
Coalition Pledge £100m For Free Childcare
Councils in England are to get £100m from the government to help meet its promise of providing free nursery places for 100,000 two-year-olds. The money comes as the coalition has pledged to create the care for the poorest two-fifths of households by 2014.
Coalition Pledge £100m For Free Childcare
Councils in England are to get £100m from the government to help meet its promise of providing free nursery places for 100,000 two-year-olds. The money comes as the coalition has pledged to create the care for the poorest two-fifths of households by 2014.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
