Councils take legal action over BSF

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

A number of councils, including Nottingham City and Luton Borough, are taking legal action against the government over the axing of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Nottingham City council have said that Michael Gove’s decision was contrary to the Council’s legitimate expectation that the funding would be forthcoming.

Responding to the news, shadow schools minister Vernon Coaker MP said:

“Michael Gove’s woes appear to have no end. It is right and proper that these councils should stand up for taxpayers in the face of a decision that was taken in such a cavalier fashion.”

“If the education secretary’s decision is overturned it would be a huge embarrassment for him since he insisted on rushing this decision despite advice that a legal challenge was a real risk.”

“Parents, pupils and teachers are shocked that Michael Gove took the decision to scrap school building projects in over 700 communities. The impression created is that this was done in a reckless and irresponsible way and if the court agrees then Mr Gove will need to explain himself.”