School Condition Allowance

Thursday 15th March 2018 Written Statements

[The Minister for School Standards (Nick Gibb)]

My hon. friend the Under-Secretary of State for the School System (Lord Agnew) has made the following written ministerial statement:

Today, I am announcing the allocation of £1.4 billion in 2018-19 to maintain and improve the condition of the education estate. Investing in our school buildings is a key part of the Government’s plan to ensure that every child has the opportunity of a place at a good school, whatever their background.

For the financial year 2018-19, the £1.4 billion of funding includes approximately:

£0.7 billion for local authorities, voluntary aided partnerships, larger multi-academy trusts and academy sponsors, to invest in their own condition priorities.

£0.5 billion for academies and sixth-form colleges through the condition improvement fund—the outcomes of bids to this fund will be announced later this year.

£0.2 billion of devolved formula capital to be allocated directly to schools later in 2018.

To provide stability for schools while we review the approach to capital funding for 2019-20, we have continued the existing capital funding approach for the financial year 2018-19.

In addition, £100 million of revenue generated from the soft drinks industry levy will be provided in 2018-19 for the healthy pupils capital fund. This fund is intended to improve children’s and young people’s physical and mental health—for example, by improving playgrounds and sports facilities, or kitchens, dining or medical facilities. The healthy pupils capital fund is being allocated alongside 2018-19 school condition funding.

Details of today’s announcement will be published on the gov.uk website, and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

[HCWS546]