Labour North West

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North West BSF projects ‘under review’

The Coalition Government’s Cuts Programme – more than 100 North West BSF projects ‘under review’

The Liberal-Conservative coalition’s Secretary of State for Education has confirmed the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) review programme is ‘under review’.

This could impact on more than 700 BSF projects nationally and more than 100 schools in the North West that haven't reached financial close on their projects.

Tory MP Michael Gove revealed the decision during Oral Answers in the House of Commons on Monday (June 7) when he was challenged to come clean on the Coalition's cuts programme by new Labour North West MP Bill Esterson.

Mr Gove said:

"My Department is currently reviewing the Building Schools for the Future programme to ensure that we can build schools more effectively and more cost-efficiently in the future."

Labour Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson said:

"Cancelling Building Schools for the Future would hit two schools in my constituency, Crosby and Chesterfield high schools.

"Does the Secretary of State agree that it would also damage the recovery by taking much-needed work away from construction workers and small businesses?"

Ends

Note to Editors:

For background see House of Commons Hansard Debates, June 7:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100607/debtext/100607-0001.htm#1006079000015