Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on how HM Treasury estimates the long-term returns on investment when evaluating proposed new capital expenditure on school and college buildings; and if he will make a statement.

HM Treasury Ministers regularly discuss public spending matters with other government departments, including on school and college buildings. HM Treasury considers a range of evidence when taking decisions, including considerations on the long-term returns in line with principles published in the Green Book. Investment in the school estate is a priority for the government. The 2021 Spending Review confirmed £19.5 billion of capital funding to support the education sector between the financial years 2022-23 and 2024-25. This includes funding to deliver new school places, rebuild or refurbish school buildings in the worst condition, and provides £1.5bn for the FE college transformation fund to upgrade the college estate across England.