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School playing fields: Government apology for wrong data School playing fields: Government apology for wrong data
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The Department for Education has apologised after giving inaccurate figures about the number of school playing fields sold off in England.The Department for Education has apologised after giving inaccurate figures about the number of school playing fields sold off in England.
This month, it said the disposal of 21 playing fields had been approved since the May 2010 general election but has now upped that figure to 30.This month, it said the disposal of 21 playing fields had been approved since the May 2010 general election but has now upped that figure to 30.
It said the department had been provided with wrong data by officials.It said the department had been provided with wrong data by officials.
The Daily Telegraph reported ministers had overruled advisers to approve sales five times in the last 15 months.The Daily Telegraph reported ministers had overruled advisers to approve sales five times in the last 15 months.
The paper said the schools were: Woodhouse Middle School in Staffordshire, Clarborough Primary School in Nottinghamshire, Elliott School in Wandsworth, London, Ingleton Middle School in North Yorkshire and Netley Primary School in Camden, London.
Education Secretary Michael Gove and Prime Minister David Cameron were among those who relied on the earlier figures to say that just 21 playing fields had been sold off.Education Secretary Michael Gove and Prime Minister David Cameron were among those who relied on the earlier figures to say that just 21 playing fields had been sold off.
The DfE, which admitted its error after the paper highlighted the inaccuracy, said the government had tightened protections for existing playing fields and "most decisions" on disposals were taken by junior ministers after "careful consideration". A href="http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/foi/disclosuresaboutschools/a00212712/school-playing-fields" title="link to DfE website" >list was released of applications and the decisions taken.
The DfE, which admitted its error, said the government had tightened protections for existing playing fields and "most decisions" on disposals were taken by junior ministers after "careful consideration".
"We are sorry to say that the secretary of state was provided with incorrect information about how many playing fields were disposed of since May 2010," a DfE spokesman added."We are sorry to say that the secretary of state was provided with incorrect information about how many playing fields were disposed of since May 2010," a DfE spokesman added.
The figures first given related to applications received between May 2010 and June 2012, he added.The figures first given related to applications received between May 2010 and June 2012, he added.
He said those figures should have included requests received by the previous government and then approved by the coalition - which took the total to 30.He said those figures should have included requests received by the previous government and then approved by the coalition - which took the total to 30.
He added: "Ministers have sought to ensure that proceeds go to improving sports facilities for young people overall."He added: "Ministers have sought to ensure that proceeds go to improving sports facilities for young people overall."
Last week the department released a list of applications to sell off playing fields - and the decisions taken.
The Daily Telegraph says the schools where decisions were over-ruled between February 2011 and July this year were: Woodhouse Middle School in Staffordshire, Clarborough Primary School in Nottinghamshire, Elliott School in Wandsworth, London, Ingleton Middle School in North Yorkshire and Netley Primary School in Camden, London.
On Friday morning, the Department for Education said it could not confirm those details.
'Misleading and incompetent''Misleading and incompetent'
The revised figures come amid a debate about the legacy of the London Olympics after Team GB's medal haul of 29 golds, 17 silvers and 19 bronzes. The controversy comes amid a debate about the legacy of the London Olympics after Team GB's medal haul, with sportspeople, politicians and others keen to make sure there are facilities and programmes to bring on the next generation of sporting heroes.
Historical figures show playing fields were sold under Labour, sometimes at a faster rate than under the present government. Labour claims an estimated 10,000 playing fields were disposed of between 1979 and 1997 when the Conservatives were in power, but according to the BBC's href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qshd" title="link to BBC Radio Four programme" >More or Less programe, no one really knows the true figure "because no body counted".
Some 213 playing fields were approved for sale between 1999 and April 2010 under Labour, DfE figures show.Some 213 playing fields were approved for sale between 1999 and April 2010 under Labour, DfE figures show.
An estimated 10,000 playing fields were disposed of between 1979 and 1997 when the Conservatives were in power.
Previously, the DfE has said sales had only been approved "if the school has closed, has merged or if equal or better facilities are being put in their place".Previously, the DfE has said sales had only been approved "if the school has closed, has merged or if equal or better facilities are being put in their place".
When the DfE initially claimed that 21 playing fields had been approved for disposal since May 2010, it said 14 were at schools that had closed and four were at sites that became surplus when existing schools amalgamated. Last week the DfE said in most of the 21 cases listed, playing fields were being sold after schools had closed or been amalgamated with others.
One was surplus marginal grassland on the school site and the proceeds were invested in the school library and better sports changing facilities, it added. 'Come clean'
Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said Mr Gove appeared to have "failed to disclose at least another 10 school playing field sell-offs" which was "misleading and incompetent at the very least".Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said Mr Gove appeared to have "failed to disclose at least another 10 school playing field sell-offs" which was "misleading and incompetent at the very least".
"Michael Gove must now come clean and explain what appears to be a secret programme to sell off school playing fields," he added."Michael Gove must now come clean and explain what appears to be a secret programme to sell off school playing fields," he added.
He has written to the most senior civil servant in the DfE, Chris Wormald, asking him to "release all submissions and correspondence regarding these disposals, including via private email accounts, so that we can understand why the secretary of state overruled his own expert panel".He has written to the most senior civil servant in the DfE, Chris Wormald, asking him to "release all submissions and correspondence regarding these disposals, including via private email accounts, so that we can understand why the secretary of state overruled his own expert panel".
In the letter, Mr Twigg states that he is "deeply concerned by the fact that the secretary of state has failed to disclose around a third of the playing field sell-offs that have been approved since the general election."
Earlier this week, critics warned that new rules on outdoor space for pupils in England to do PE would make it easier for secondary schools to sell off playing fields.Earlier this week, critics warned that new rules on outdoor space for pupils in England to do PE would make it easier for secondary schools to sell off playing fields.
The schools previously had to provide pitches ranging from 5,000 sq m to 54,000 sq m, depending on the number of pupils, but must now provide only "suitable outdoor space".The schools previously had to provide pitches ranging from 5,000 sq m to 54,000 sq m, depending on the number of pupils, but must now provide only "suitable outdoor space".
The DfE said its "extremely strict rules" on playing fields were still in place.The DfE said its "extremely strict rules" on playing fields were still in place.
Schools where approval has been granted - details as released by the government on 8 August 2012Schools where approval has been granted - details as released by the government on 8 August 2012
Michael Drayton School in Hampshire is still under consideration.Michael Drayton School in Hampshire is still under consideration.