Gove agrees with the NFB – scrapping schools was wrong
National Federation of Builders
The National Federation of Builders comments on Michael Gove's admission that the cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future programme was one of his biggest errors of judgement.
In a belated, indirect apology to the construction industry, Michael Gove has admitted that scrapping the Building Schools for the Future programme was a mistake.
The former education secretary, when in office in 2010, abolished the £55 billion programme with short notice causing job cuts and rejecting the accepted expert view that good design aids learning.
At the time, the National Federation of Builders was unequivocal in its criticism of the fledgling Government, stating: “A range of government measures has combined to create a tough trading environment. Continued restrictions on bank lending, swingeing cuts and the VAT increase have subjected the industry to a death by 100 cuts over the first 100 days, undervaluing construction’s contribution to our surroundings and to the economy.
“Gordon Brown redefined the word ‘prudence’. Now this Government has redefined ‘no more capital spending cuts’ to mean ‘we are cutting the £55 billion Building Schools for the future programme’.”
Since then, the industry has seen school building being carried out by fewer contractors as SMEs are priced out of building programmes. This makes it harder for them to win future work or invest and train locally as money leaves their region.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders, said: “The National Federation of Builders has been representing professional, local builders and contractors for 150 years. Politicians, if they are lucky, serve for five but their decisions have a long-lasting effect.
“If the Government had understood far earlier that SMEs are the key to delivering schools or homes, we would have more of both at far less taxpayer expense.”
