Billions of pounds are to be spent on new free schools while the old ones are left to rot.
The shocking figures have been revealed as the education sector suffers a funding crisis, with plans to spend £9 billion on new free schools while current state schools are falling apart described as “utter madness” by union GMB.
A National Audit Office (NAO) report today says 6.7 billionn is needed to bring existing school buildings in England and Wales to a satisfactory level.
The Government says by 2021, £9.7 billion will have been spent on 833 free schools.
Karen Leonard, GMB National Schools Officer, said: “What planet is this Tory Government living on?
“Does it make financial sense to pour millions of taxpayers’ money into free schools – many in areas where a new school is simply not required – when existing schools are going to wrack and ruin?
“£6.7billion is needed to repair our schools and the Tories want to plough almost £10billion on free schools
“But when we ask for decent pay for our school staff, the government rings its hands and says there is no money.
“Cash is so tight many of our ‘forgotten schools’ are struggling to give kids the education they deserve.
“It’s utter madness.”
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
