Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Education Funding Authority receives value for money when purchasing sites for new schools.

Costs are controlled very carefully when purchasing sites for free schools and we consider the specific needs of the schools on a case by case basis when allocating funding. The Education Funding Agency does not pay in excess of what a site is worth or purchase expensive sites if there are better value for money alternatives in the area. The Department is establishing an arm’s length body, LocatED, to provide additional commercial expertise in securing value for money sites for free schools. Value for money is judged on the whole development cost of a free school, including the site purchase and the subsequent construction or conversion of an existing building.