The government review panel into schools procurement was preparing to launch a scathing attack on the organisation of the Building Schools for the Future programme as Building went to press on Wednesday

The panel, led by Sebastian James, was expected to report its interim findings at the end of the week. It is understood that it will detail what it views as system failures in the £55bn programme, and will criticise the impact on it of changing political priorities.

The panel is in favour of greater standardisation on schools projects, and has been exploring the role modular construction could play. It is also looking at fast-track procurement methods, some of which it is trialling on the Campsmount Technology scheme in Doncaster, on which Wates was recently preferred bidder. The panel will report its full findings in January.

Meanwhile, the row over the government’s decision to scrap BSF is set to hit the High Court in January after Leeds divisional court ruled that a case for judicial review brought by Luton and Nottingham City councils should be heard by the High Court.

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