THE FINAL nail in the coffin of Sandwell Council’s schools rebuilding programme has been delivered by the Government.

Today, when all eyes were on the phone hacking scandal and the questioning of Rupert Murdoch, in a letter gaffe-prone Education Secretary Michael Gove confirmed the borough would not get any of the money for Building Schools for the Future (BSF) he promised the people of Sandwell last year.

Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper said: "This is a bitter, bitter blow for the young people in Sandwell.

"And it brings into question the timing of the announcement which has coincided with the major debate in parliament on phone hacking.”

Cllr Cooper added: "The decision is a disgrace and shows just how much this Government cares for ordinary hard-working families and their children.

"This is not the end. We intend to see if there is any more we can do to fight this injustice and we will use every means at our disposal."

Schools which will definitely not be rebuilt include a The Meadows Sports College and Bristnall Hall Technology College, both in Oldbury and The Heathfield Foundation Technology College, Cradley Heath.

Councillor Cooper added: “"We have made massive year-on-year improvements in school performances and that is with pupils having to be taught in crumbling buildings.

"This programme was not a luxury. It was vital for the future of our schools.

"This must be a bitter blow to pupils, parents, teachers and governors."

Under the Building Schools for the Future programme, Sandwell was to have got £125 million to rebuild nine secondary schools.

But after the first phase was started Mr Gove announced that he was scrapping the rest of the scheme because of the cost.

As a result Sandwell challenged the decision in the High Court and Mr Gove was forced to reconsider the decision after losing the judicial review.

As a result Mr Gove invited Sandwell to submit detailed representations on why the scheme should go-ahead.

In his letter to the council Mr Gove said: "The passion and commitment shown to the children and the schools that were the subject of my consultation was clearly evident."

Rejecting the council's bid Mr Gove said he would provide cash with capital grant up to the level of contractual liabilities arising from the cancellation of the school projects.