Schools Buildings Shock!

12.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 6th Jul 2004

Manchester City Council's Executive tomorrow will consider a follow up report to last year's bid for £168million to build 13 new schools.

Now, the costs have spiralled to £242million, with several difficult issues still needing to be resolved. These include,

• a big "affordability gap" for schools being built under PFI. Any gap would have to be funded out of the education budget.

• technical disagreements between government and council on the size of schools.

• difficulties over the 10% contribution required from the voluntary aided sector.

Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Simon Ashley said today, "Everyone would like to see new schools across Manchester but that needs to go hand in hand with improved educational standards. However, without significant extra Government resources, these schools are not going to be built and without guaranteed staffing levels, standards will not rise."

Ends.

For more contact Simon Ashley on 07879 891 150, 0161 234 3354 or 0161 336 0421.