§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo 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 SmithThe Department does not currently hold accurate and comprehensive data on all school buildings. We have, however, made resources available to local 475W 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.