Afternoon summary
More than half of English schools that are so dilapidated they are at risk of partial closure were refused money under the government’s school rebuilding scheme, Department for Education (DfE) statistics show.
The head of the National Audit Office, Gareth Davies, has accused the government of adopting a “sticking-plaster approach” to school building safety, when it should be investing properly in infrastructure. (See 9.32am.)
Michael Gove has loosened restrictions on building onshore windfarms in England, meaning developments will no longer be quashed by one objection, but campaigners have said such schemes are still at a disadvantage. Responding to the announcement, Greenpeace said the impact would be marginal. Its UK policy director, Doug Parr, said:
These feeble tweaks are just more hot air from the government that’ll result in very little wind.
Developers will continue to face uncertainty over planning process and be beholden to quixotic decisions by local councils. Who will put their money into developing projects under those circumstances?
The Home Office has said people could face up to two years in jail for possessing laughing gas, “nitrous oxide”, under its plans to ban it for recreational use. (See 3.30pm.)
Birmingham city council, the largest local authority in the country, has in effect declared itself bankrupt after issuing a section 114 notice, signalling that it does not have the resources to balance its budget.
Updated
Starmer announces new appointments to Labour's frontbench
Keir Starmer has announced new appointments to the Labour frontbench, the party has announced.
Keir Starmer has made the following appointments to the Labour Party’s frontbench. pic.twitter.com/vxp7FDK3Ss
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) September 5, 2023
