Title

A multibillion-pound push to accelerate school-building modernisation has been confirmed. A total of 22 companies are set for a windfall as Building Schools for the Future (BSF) announced a £4bn fund to design and build academies in local authorities which have not yet signed up to the programme. It came after the head of BSF signalled the project was recovering from the credit crunch, only months after it seemed mired in funding difficulties. BSF's new contractors' framework – operational by the end of the year – is looking for 24 providers and their supply chains to design the schools. Pre-qualification questionnaires were submitted by 57 companies and, so far, 22 have been shortlisted to continue the process. Tim Byles, chief executive of Partnerships for Schools, said: ‘The interest from large and medium-sized companies across the country in the new contractors' framework demonstrates how all sectors of the construction industry see this as a great opportunity, particularly at a time when conditions are challenging.' BSF aims to deliver 227 academies supported by direct grant government funding. Local authorities currently engaged in the BSF programme will continue to procure academies through local education partnerships.

Title

BUSINESS

£4bn fund for schools

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