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Written question asked by Lord McCabe (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 March 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 March 2017. It was answered by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 March 2017 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Baverstock Academy: Closures

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2017 to Question 63407, on Baverstock Academy: closures, for what reason her Department does not provide financial information on the estimated cost of proposed school closures when an academy is consulting on whether to close.

Answer

The estimated costs of a closure form only one element of a decision, which will take into consideration both the risks involved and dependencies required to deliver each of the options, and the best and most sustainable strategy for delivering good or outstanding school places for every child in the local area.

Releasing details of estimated closure costs could make factors that are equally influential in the arguments for and against closure seem less significant and give a misleading picture as to how the decision was made. The primary objective of the department in making such decisions is to secure value for money for the taxpayer whilst ensuring the best possible educational outcomes for the pupils and parents.

Releasing details of estimated closure costs would not provide a complete picture of the situation. In some cases, those details may also be commercially sensitive. The primary objective of the Department in making such decisions is to ensure the best possible educational outcomes for the pupils and parents whilst also securing value for money for the taxpayer.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
66940
Session
2016-17
Related items
Baverstock Academy: Closures
Monday, 20 February 2017
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Costs Closures Baverstock Academy
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk