The £100m plans to rebuild and refurbish all secondary schools in Haslingden and Hyndburn next year (phase 4) and the £100m programme the following year (phase 5) are in doubt as part of the new Government’s spending reviews.
BSF will not only provide 21st century places of learning, it looks to co-locate other community services, specialist schools and extended hours community leisure and learning facilities.
"The Conservatives proposed NI Tax cut is about the same cost as as BSF. We should be concentrating on building 21st century schools and modern community facilities in each school. Some schools in this area are old Victorian buildings."
"It is not a tough choice. To choose to cut education is step backwards especially in what is the 40th most deprived area in Britain area when the new Prime Minister said he would help and protect the poorest and the disadvantaged is a huge retrograde step. I will be writing to David Cameron to put the case that this area needs BSF."
"All of Haslingden's and Hyndburn's secondary schools are part of the programme in 2011 and 2012 so it will hit this area hard, not only children's education but the effect it will have on local construction companies. They are going to be hit hard with the cuts in all building programmes."
LCC Building Schools for the Future
LCC BSF Phase 4 Schools
LCC BSF Phase 2 & 3 photos
Plans for hundreds of new secondary schools in England have been frozen as the Government reviews the education spending programme put in place by Labour.
The Department for Education (DfE) has said no decision has been made on the future of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) schemes, but they will be looked at in the Government’s comprehensive spending review in the autumn.
The Department for Education said no decision had been taken, but it is thought the intention was to make cuts to the annual £8.5bn new schools budget.
It is understood that some of the possible savings will be put towards the free schools programme pledged by the Conservatives, which is modelled on the Swedish system.
Funding could now be withdrawn for schools which have been given the chance to participate in the Building Schools for the Future project but have not yet announced any arrangements with contractors. This includes all the Phase 4 Schools in Hyndburn.
Michael Gove pledged a review of the project while in opposition, but the Liberal Democrats opposed the move.
Head teachers and local authorities were last night seeking assurances as to their future funding.
Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT, the teaching union, said: "This comes as no surprise to me but it will be a devastating blow to the schools on the list because many of those will be in need of urgent refurbishment. "This is putting on hold the 21st century school."
