Responding to the Treasury's announcement that there will be an increase in capital funding and the Chancellor's confirmation that school funding will be 'protected', Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said:

“It is reassuring to hear that school funding will be protected next year and that education will continue to be prioritised as schools face continuing financial pressures. 

"It is now important that the government is very clear about what it means by ‘protected’. We urge the government to use the reduction in pupil numbers some schools are facing to increase per pupil funding both in the short and longer term. 

"The £1.4bn announced for school buildings is helpful. However, there remains a significant shortfall in terms of what is needed to restore the school estate to a satisfactory condition. We would urge the Treasury to use the three year spending review next spring to commit to a major school rebuilding programme.”