Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 June 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 June 2000. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 June 2000 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate he has made of the backlog of repair and maintenance work at schools in England; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figure and fact that the Department does not currently hold accurate and comprehensive data on all school buildings.

Answer: Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the backlog of repair and maintenance work at schools in England; and if he will make a statement. [127600] Jacqui Smith: The Department does not currently hold accurate and comprehensive data on all school buildings. We have, however, made resources available to local education authorities to help them prepare Asset Management Plans covering all the maintained schools in their areas. When completed, these plans should provide a comprehensive picture of the repairs to school buildings which still need to be carried out. A total of £1.9 billion is being spent in the current financial year on repairs and maintenance, three times the amount spent in 1996-97. This includes the New Deal for Schools, public-private partnerships, and other capital grants to schools and LEA borrowing.

Secondary information