Schools will share nearly £1.8 billion for building improvements this year, the government has announced.

This represents a 20 per cent rise on last year’s fund, the Department for Education said.

However, the uplift follows significant cuts to the wider school capital budget, which fell by more than £500 million last year.

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The £1.8 billion condition fund is the latest in a series of annual allocations earmarked for maintaining and improving the condition of school buildings and grounds.

Funding for school building improvements

The DfE said the cash would “ensure children are supported to learn and build back better from the pandemic in the best possible environment”.

Meanwhile, the department said the schools rebuilding programme, announced last year, is due to start its first projects this autumn.

The DfE plans to consult this year on how schools are prioritised for future rounds of the scheme.

Education minister Baroness Berridge said: “I know teachers and heads are spending every hour of the working day thinking about how they can make sure the students at their schools recover from the impact of the pandemic, and making sure all children and staff remain safe following the welcome return to face-to-face teaching.

“Alongside our ambitious rebuilding programme for the schools in the worst condition, this government is making sure every school has the investment and financial support it needs to build back better for its students.”