Rise in funding for school maintenance and repair

The annual allocations provided to maintain school buildings will increase by over 20% to £1.8 billion this financial year, the Department for Education has announced. The funding will be used for schools to keep on top of their maintenance and repair.

This is on top of the £560 million announced by the Prime Minister last year to improve the condition of school buildings.

Schools Minister Baroness Berridge said: "I know teachers and heads are spending every hour of the working day thinking about how they can make sure the students at their schools recover from the impact of the pandemic, and making sure all children and staff remain safe following the welcome return to face to face teaching.

"Alongside our ambitious rebuilding programme for the schools in the worst condition, this government is making sure every school has the investment and financial support it needs to build back better for its students."

Local authorities, larger multi-academy trusts and Voluntary Aided school bodies, such as dioceses, have been allocated condition funding in accordance with the latest data on their estates.

Smaller academy trusts and sixth form colleges schools have been able to submit bids to the department for funding through the Condition Improvement Fund process, so those that have essential maintenance needs do not lose out. In addition, all schools have been allocated individual funding in accordance with their size.