The Government has this week announced that Haringey will get an extra £1.3 million to manage the shortfall in the borough’s school places.

Haringey is one of a hundred local authorities that will receive a share of an extra £500m because finding preferred school places for some of the borough’s children has proved difficult.

Today’s extra funding comes on top of the £800m funding announced in December 2010 – double the normal annual level of support – which means that in 2011-12 a total of £1.3billion will have been allocated to fund additional school places.

This is also in addition to the extra £5.3 million local schools will receive this year from the Pupil Premium.

The funding comes in the form of capital grants, which are not ring fenced. Local Councils will be able to decide what projects this additional funding is spent on.

A recent report from the Council suggested that Alexandra, Muswell Hill, Fortis Green and Northumberland Park had a shortage of school places.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It is good news that the Government is investing an extra 1.3 million in schools’ capacity in our area.

“This money will be a welcome boost to ensure everyone gets a place at a good school. It will also be welcome news for local jobs and businesses, as building can now ahead.

Liberal Democrat Children’s spokesperson Councillor Katherine Reece adds

“There is more work to be done and this extra cash will not solve our problems overnight. I will be working with my Liberal Democrat colleagues in Government on this, in order to ensure our children get the fair start in life in the good schools they deserve. The Council clearly has areas like Alexandra, Muswell Hill and Northumberland Park that would benefit from extra primary school places.”