CBI: BSF delays are damaging economy and construction

The government's "inadequate leadership" on the £45bn Building Schools for the Future programme is causing both short and long term damage to the economy, the CBI has warned.

In the More than Bricks and Mortar report published today, it claimed that the government risked missing its target of having 100 BSF schools open by the end of the 2008-09 financial year, with only 13 schools opening so far.

And it said that delays on BSF were also adding to the problems faced by the construction sector as the economy hit a downturn, as well as compounding the long-term economic impact of low educational attainment.

CBI director of public services Susan Anderson said: "Moving BSF forward is essential as it will deliver real benefits in improving educational standards and also help our construction industry weather the current economic conditions."

"We need to see a real drive from the government and an end to avoidable delays in the procurement process."

In order to speed up the programme, the CBI recommended:

• Taking decisive action to speed up the programme
• Ensuring that education goals are at the heart of BSF
• The Department for Children, Schools and Families should promote BSF to all local authorities
• Decisions over financing to be taken as early as possible
• Environmental sustainability requirements to be a part of all BSF contracts
• Procurement processes to be set up, with expertise to be shared between contracting authorities and Partnerships for Schools

BSF aims to rebuild or renew every secondary school in England. It was set up in 2003, with Partnerships for Schools responsible for delivering the programme.