It is great news that more funding is being allocated to educating the younger generation, hopefully on the back of unexpected increased tax revenue following the BREXIT decision. But is it enough and is it targeting the right area. Is the balance right between new and existing?
With existing schools under immense pressure to deliver to higher standard with funding cuts in real terms - '£3bn savings by 2020' - should they be supported more or is this seen to be a waste and the future must be viewed from a completely different perspective that investing Free Schools and Grammar Schools will provide improved results with young people being more prepared for life after education?
What ever your view point is, it will provide additional funding into the Construction Sector.
The chancellor is to announce extra money for new free schools in England, in Wednesday's Budget - a one-off payment of £320m for 140 new free schools, on top of the 500 already pledged to be created by 2020. Currently, all new schools are required to be free schools, but the government has been looking at lifting a ban on opening new grammars - some of the £320m could be used for new selective schools or to expand existing grammars. Mr Hammond will also promise £216m to rebuild and refurbish existing schools, but he is facing criticism from head teachers about a funding crisis in existing schools. There have been warnings of four-day weeks and cuts in staffing and subjects - and the National Audit Office has warned of an 8% real-terms funding gap for schools up to 2020.
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