School building scheme to be accelerated after slow start

So far only 12 schools have reopened as part of the £45bn Building Schools for the Future scheme, which was launched in 2005.

But the Department for Children, Schools and Families said over 1,000 projects are currently underway, in 72 local authorities.

It now wants to make it easier for the remaining local authorities to get involved, and has published a consultation on how this can be achieved.

Rather than waiting for the scheme to be extended to their area, authorities are being encouraged to apply for funding when they feel they can deliver projects in line with government objectives.

Schools minister Jim Knight said: "We now want to target children and schools with the greatest needs, wherever they live, to benefit as soon as possible.

"Instead of waiting, we want to give them more scope to target pockets of deprivation and underperforming schools now - by giving the remaining local authorities the chance of early entry as soon as they are ready."