§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school building projects in 43W England are currently being funded through public private sector partnerships; and what is his forecast for the number of new projects to be started in 2000–01. [104172]
§ Jacqui SmithContracts have been awarded on eight schools' projects in England under the Private Finance Initiative, six of which are for building projects covering new or replacement single schools and two of which are Local Education Authority (LEA) wide service contracts. A further 34 projects, covering both single schools and groups of schools, have been approved by the Treasury's Project Review Group (PRG), 13 of which will receive support in 2000–01. In addition, 15 LEAs have been invited to submit business cases for projects, covering both single schools and groups of schools, to be considered for support at future PRG meetings.
A total of £1.3 billion of PFI Credits has been provided for schools' projects in England up to 31 March 2002, including the £100 million announced in the pre-Budget statement.
A further 16 Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are currently being supported by £10 million of New Deal for Schools (NDS) grant. PPPs to be supported through NDS grant in 2000–01 and 2001–02 will be announced in the Spring.
In total, over 700 schools will have benefited from different forms of PPPs by 31 March 2002.