The Built Asset Blog
Michael Gove's move - what does it mean for the sector?
The move of Michael Gove is a shock. There had been speculation about his future in Education but no commentators went as far as predicting that he would move. The surprise expressed by Michael Wilshaw evidences that his move had not been trailed or perhaps prepared for. Whilst as many people hated him as loved him there is no doubt that he was a consistent agent of change and everyone understood that he firmly believed in what he stood for. His departure leaves a vacuum until we see what position Nicky Morgan takes on key issues and how effectively she can argue her case with The Treasury.
The biggest question will be where this leaves the flagship Free Schools programme. Whilst it seems unlikely that the Government will abandon a programme that is broadly supported by Labour, Gove’s departure will cause concern and uncertainty amongst Free School sponsors whose interest and support is fundamental to the progress of the programme and to the resultant construction spending. As Free Schools have become more and more an effective mode of delivery of much needed school places, any blip in the programme could have the consequence of leaving children without school places in 2015/2016.
Gove was also a supporter of investment in repairing schools and removing the maintenance backlog, as announced in the August 2013 Infrastructure Statement which committed £10.3bn over the next parliament. The construction industry will have to hope that that commitment will be retained by the new administration.
The biggest question will be where this leaves the flagship Free Schools programme. Whilst it seems unlikely that the Government will abandon a programme that is broadly supported by Labour, Gove’s departure will cause concern and uncertainty amongst Free School sponsors whose interest and support is fundamental to the progress of the programme and to the resultant construction spending. As Free Schools have become more and more an effective mode of delivery of much needed school places, any blip in the programme could have the consequence of leaving children without school places in 2015/2016.
Gove was also a supporter of investment in repairing schools and removing the maintenance backlog, as announced in the August 2013 Infrastructure Statement which committed £10.3bn over the next parliament. The construction industry will have to hope that that commitment will be retained by the new administration.
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School children see future of engineering at Wyre Forest - 18 July 2014
Atkins is combining the latest iPad and smart phone technology with the natural wonders of Wyre Forest to give school children the opportunity to see what a career in engineering could be like in the future.
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