Data on school temporary buildings were supplied to my Department by local education authorities in 2001, 2003 and 2005. However, checks indicated that the completeness and quality of the data were not good enough to accurately assess the number of schools using temporary mobile classrooms.
Central Government capital support for investment in schools has increased from under £700 million in 1996-97 to £6.7 billion in 2008-09, and will rise further to £8.0 billion by 2010-11. Progress is being made year by year in improving the quality of the school building stock. The bulk of schools capital is now allocated by formula to authorities and schools so that they can address their local priorities, including the replacement of poor-quality temporary accommodation. Given the high levels of funding, authorities have the opportunity to replace temporary buildings where they are considered to be unsuitable.
Modern, high-quality mobile or demountable buildings can provide a good environment for teaching and learning where there is a short-term need. They might be used, for instance, to cope with a temporary increase in pupil numbers at a school, or as an alternative to transporting children elsewhere when there is building work under way.