Written question asked by Nadine Dorries (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 October 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 26 October 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Primary Education: Finance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in (a) Mid Bedfordshire constituency and (b) Bedfordshire have participated in the Primary Capital Programme in 2009.

Answer: Funding for the national roll out of the Primary Capital Programme commenced in April 2009. It follows that very few of the projects to be funded wholly or partly through the programme will have actually started on site at this stage.I am pleased to confirm, however, that the strategic plan submitted through the former Bedfordshire Council's Primary Strategy for Change has resulted in additional funding of £9.3 million being approved to support local delivery over the two year period 2009-11 duly confirmed.Decisions about the prioritisation of individual projects are rightly matters for local determination. The programme aims to support local authorities in renewing around half of all primary schools by 2023. More detailed information about the work planned can be obtained from the local authority.

Secondary information