City may lose out on school cash after all

Plans to rebuild and refurbish Hull's secondary schools had appeared to escape the cuts earlier this year when ministers axed BSF schemes across the country.

Six education authorities across the region missed out on the funding they were expecting but Hull's rebuilding plans were unaffected as the project had already been signed off by the Government.

The council has now revealed, however, that it has been told to finding savings in its rebuilding plans within a month.

Hull's BSF team has asked its contractors to see whether they can cut costs, which could mean using cheaper materials.

It said it was too early to say how much it might be able to save. David Martin, BSF project director, said: "While this announcement presents a challenge to all schemes to increase savings, Hull BSF remains in a really strong position.

"We will still open six outstanding new schools in September 2011, and all subsequent schemes are expected to follow as planned."

Around 1bn funding which had been expected by six other councils across Yorkshire was withdrawn this year by the decision to scrap BSF.