The business group says that ongoing delays to the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme are inflicting both short and long-term damage to the economy. It says ministers need to demonstrate they are determined to deliver their £45 billion plan to rebuild every secondary school in England, which is already considerably behind schedule.

The CBI believes many local authorities are unsure about BSF and that there has been inadequate leadership of the programme.

This, it says, is damaging pupils’ education as BSF is intended to provide much-needed improvements such as modern science laboratories and high-quality sports facilities, as well as better-designed corridors and lavatories that can help cut bullying.

It also warns that delays to BSF are adding to the problems faced by the construction sector as the economy hits a downturn, as well as compounding the long-term economic impact of low educational attainment levels.