The High Court has ruled that the way the government went about scrapping the Building Schools for the Future programme at six local authorities, which may have involved the installation of security fencing, was unlawful.

Justice Holman has ordered education secretary Michael Gove to reconsider the axing of 58 school projects planned by Waltham Forest, Luton Borough Council, Nottingham City Council, Sandwell, Kent County Council and Newham.

The government failed to adequately consult with these councils over BSF.

However, it seems unlikely that the planned projects will be revitalised, as any final decision will still rest with Mr Gove.

Commenting on the ruling, Chris Robbins, the leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: "They must now make a decision on our funding based on the real evidence about the difficulties our schools face.

"We have said all along that we want to sit down and have an amicable discussion with the government about the difficulties our schools face."

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it had won the "substantive points" of the case.

"The secretary of state will now look again at his decision with regard to these authorities with an open mind, taking representations from them."
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