Contractors that won the 33 sample schools will be able to negotiate for further schools work with the councils involved.

Contractors that win any of the saved 33 sample schools - worth a total of £800m - will be allowed to negotiate further schools work with the councils involved, according to a senior Whitehall source.

The 33 sample schools were given the go-ahead by education secretary Michael Gove when he scrapped the rest of the Building Schools for the Future schemes because they were at an advanced stage.

But contractors that won the sample schools deals were uncertain if they would also build further schools for the 14 councils involved - as had been the plan under BSF - should any be given the go-ahead by central government.  

A senior Whitehall source, who briefed the media this morning, said contractors will be permitted to build further schools for the 14 councils, if and when it is given the go-ahead by the government following the Comprehensive Spending Review in October and the James Review in December.

The news means the sample school contractors will be in a strong position for further work at the 14 councils, with relationships already formed and construction teams in place.

The source pointed out, however, that the councils are under no obligation to offer the contractors further schools work, and it will depend on them demonstrating value for money.

 

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