Industry News
CBI defends BSF plans
Posted on 9th August 2007
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has announced its support for the government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, following criticism from MPs.
Members of the Commons education select committee questioned the use of private finance initiatives to fund the scheme, which aims to rebuild and upgrade all secondary schools in England.
However, Dr Neil Bentley, director of public services at the CBI, argued that the BSF initiative is helping to provide children with the "state-of-the-art" facilities required to ensure they meet their full potential.
"Investment from the private sector is a core part of this, and the private finance initiative has an excellent track record of delivering on time and to budget, which is good news for pupils, staff and taxpayers alike," he remarked.
School's minister Kevin Brennen responded to the committee's concerns by stating it was the government's intention to "develop and adapt" the programme by implementing a more efficient procurement and planning system.