To ask the Minister of Education to detail any planned process for appointing an Independent Commission, to review the sustainability of the school estate.

My Department has set out its proposals for a Five-Year Education Budget Strategy. Consultation on the strategy closes on 3 April 2026.

The strategy includes proposals to restructure the school estate and within that context an Independent Commission may be appointed to lead on this work. I will make a decision on the establishment of an Independent Commission and process for doing so, if applicable, after the responses to the consultation have been considered.