BSF contractors benefit from primary school cash

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) contractors could see their workloads swell by another £7bn if the government decides to add the Primary Capital Programme (PCP) to the mix.

The PCP, which aims to rebuild half of all primary school in England over the next 15 years, is under review as part of a wider review of the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) capital programme.

One option being discussed, say sources, is to combine the PCP and BSF, bringing it under the control of Partnerships for Schools.

Many local authorities are keen to combine their PCP and BSF schemes to create economies of scale, as part of wider regeneration plans. CJ understands a number of councils are arguing for this option in their bids for DCSF funding.

The DCSF is also ditching its £1bn One School Pathfinder programme because of concerns over its high procurement costs, CJ understands.

The £1bn programme allowed 38 local authorities in the later BSF waves to bring forward one school. In future, no more individual schools will be fast-tracked.

A DCSF spokesman said the department was still considering proposals from local authorities on how they would deliver their Primary Capital Programme.