We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The virus has left the UK with a heavy toll financially and in mortality. As of June 29, the UK has seen 528,859 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the fourth highest in the world. It has also seen 43,634 deaths, according to John Hopkins University.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister is expected to announce a series of measures intended to help economic recovery as the country begins to exist lockdown, which was called on March 23.

Prime Minister Johnson is said to be announcing a spending blitz, with schools seeing a 10 year improvement scheme.

Downing Street said that a £1 billion cash injection will see construction of the first 50 projects for the scheme.

The undertaking will begin from September 2021 at the earliest, and will be confirmed this autumn.

Mr Johnson, speaking before a school visit planned for Monday, said: “All children deserve the best possible start in life – regardless of their background or where they live.

“As we bounce back from the pandemic, it’s important we lay the foundations for a country where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, with our younger generations front and centre of this mission.

“This major new investment will make sure our schools and colleges are fit for the future, with better facilities and brand new buildings so that every child gets a world-class education.”

It comes as he said to The Mail on Sunday: “We need to get the kids back into school.

“I want all pupils back in school in September.”

Another £560 million will go towards school repairs this financial year.

In addition, further education colleges will see £200 million for repairs.

The near £1.5 billion was previously promised by Chancellor Rishi Sunak at the Spring Budget for works over the next five years.

The funding has been brought forward to help restart the UK’s economy, which has seen major losses in GDP and employment.

GDP has fallen by a record 20.4 percent in April, whereas unemployment was set at. 3.9 percent by the Office of National Statistics for February to April, with some experts predicting it to skyrocket to levels last seen in the 1980’s.

DON’T MISS

Boris Johnson does press-ups at No 10 to prove COVID-19 recovery (LATEST)

Coronavirus chaos: Fears of pub reopening carnage (INSIGHT)

Nintendo Switch stock warning: Good and bad news for new customers (FINANCE)

Details of the programme, along with eligibility for funding, will be laid out in full at the next Spending Review, according to Number 10.

Investment will be targeted at school buildings in the worst condition across England – including “substantial investment” in the north and the midlands.

The Government is aiming for the projects to utilise modern and green construction methods both to help meet the UK’s net zero emissions target by 2050 and also create highly skilled jobs in the construction sector.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Replacing and upgrading poor condition school and college buildings with modern, energy efficient designs will give our students and teachers the environment they deserve, and support them to maximise their potential.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer warned Mr Johnson that he would have to ensure his building programme reversed a “lost decade” of stagnant investment in many parts of the country.

New analysis from the opposition party suggested that seven of England’s nine regions saw a reduction in public capital investment per person over the past 10 years since the Conservatives came to power.

Labour said that in some parts of the country, including Yorkshire, East Midlands and the South West, investment per person is still less than half that seen in London.

The party said all regions had seen a decrease in both health and education investment per person since David Cameron became prime minister in 2010.

Sir Keir said: “For much of the country, the Tories’ record on building and investment has been a lost decade.

“Our recovery from the coronavirus crisis needs to match the scale of the challenge.”

Source: Read Full Article