A DATE has been set for a legal challenge to the Government’s decision to scrap mutli-million pound school improvements in Waltham Forest.

The council is one of four authorities which has requested a judicial review into the abolition of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) program, which would have see £263 million invested in 16 of the borough’s schools.

The council had already spent £17 million on planning the building work.

The Government later admitted the borough would be one of the areas hardest hit by the move, but said BSF was wasteful and inefficient.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said the Government would continue to fund school upgrades, but details have not been revealed.

The court action is due to take place on January 24 at the High Court, in central London, and is expected to last a week.

Council leader Chris Robbins said the authority had been left with no choice but to challenge the Government as vital investment was needed.

The other authorities challenging the Government are Luton, Nottingham City Council and Kent.

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