Free schools programme failed to create school places we need

“The Government’s free schools programme has failed to create the school places that our children need. Too often new schools are not opening where they are needed and local communities are not getting new schools.

“The Tories have repeatedly cut the capital funding available for new school places and buildings, and last week’s Spending Review revealed that the Department for Education’s capital budget will fall yet again next year.

“A Labour government will end the inefficient free schools programme and allow local authorities to open new schools in their area, backed up by new investment to ensure that every community can open new schools when they need them.”