Schools Building Programme

Answer: I will answer, and I thank my hon. Friend for his comments. It is important that we begin in those areas where educational need and social disadvantage are most acute. As we roll forward this programme over the next 15 years, we will be able to rebuild, renew or refurbish to world-class standards every secondary school in the country.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Thursday, 16 June 2005 by Andrew Gwynne (Labour).

Question: Most secondary schools in my constituency are now over 50 years old and well past their useful life as quality buildings. Is my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State aware that Tameside council, through the building schools for the future programme, is embarking on rebuilding seven high schools as part of the largest school building programme in the borough since the 1950s? Will she do all that she can to ensure that the long-term investment put in by this Labour Government continues, so that excellent Labour councils such as Tameside can eventually meet their ambition to rebuild and refurbish not just seven high schools but all the secondary schools in their areas?

Secondary information

Type: Oral answer to question
Reference: 435 c376
Session: 2005-06
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Construction Buildings Capital investment Schools Repairs and maintenance Southend on Sea
Link: View this Oral answer to question on www.publications.parliament.uk