DfE under fire over lack of funds for new school

THE Department for Education has come under fire for failing to stump up any funding for the new Berwick Academy building in Northumberland.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

> Plans for the new Berwick Academy

The county council had requested the Government cover £13m of the £64m total package, but so far this has not been forthcoming.

The total cost of the project, including upgrades and alterations at existing first schools to move to a two-tier system, comes to £64m.

Of this, £50.91m will go towards the new buildings for the high school.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the council's cabinet, portfolio holder for education Coun Guy Renner-Thompson expressed disappointment at the Government's stance.

He also criticised North Northumberland MP David Smith for being unable to convince Westminster to pay out.

He said: "This has taken many, many years of hard work from officers, parents, and teaching staff. It is a seminal point for education in north Northumberland.

"We are asking for an additional £5.2m on top of the budget that was previously agreed. We have had to ask for this because, despite our many asks to the Government they have failed to come up with any money for this project.

"We have had many meetings with the local Labour MP David Smith who has said it would be a great priority, but he has failed to come up with the goods. We're getting no contribution from the Government.