Local authorities across England are allowed to sell off playing fields to help close budget gaps, Angela Rayner says.
Following recent government guidance, councils have been advised to use their discretion in determining whether to sell school land they don’t need.
Although local authorities have been allowed to sell assets for nearly 10 years to fund transformation projects, their behaviour is still subject to restrictions from the Department for Education.
A Government spokesperson said: ‘There is strict criteria in place to protect school playing fields, with only a tiny percentage disposed of each year and the vast majority of these are areas that schools are no longer using.
‘We are clear that councils must seek the Secretary of State for Education’s approval and should only sell playing fields where it is absolutely necessary.’
The statement provided by the Government confirmed that council applications for the sale of playing fields are thoroughly assessed to ensure each school’s curriculum needs continue to be met.
Doubts remain about the repercussions of redistributing school land, and shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake told The Telegraph: ‘This is a toxic double whammy of fiddled planning rules’ which negatively impacts school children.
However, the Government statement emphasises that funds raised from playing field sales must be demonstrably reinvested in school facilities to minimise damage to local communities.
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