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<p>The free schools programme was introduced in 2010 with the first free school opening
in September 2011. As of 1 March 2019, there are 443 free schools open across the
country, which will provide over 250,000 places at capacity.</p><p> </p><p>The department
& LocatED are responsible for acquiring the land and buildings required to establish
these schools, ensuring that they are located in appropriate and safe surroundings,
are a good fit with the school’s educational aims and offer good value for money.</p><p>
</p><p>In most cases, land and buildings are acquired on a freehold or peppercorn
lease, however, for some schools; particularly those involving the use of temporary
accommodation, the department may enter into a commercial lease. The department estimates
the total rental payment for land and buildings for free schools for each academic
year to be as set out in the table below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Academic
Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Costs (to the nearest £100,000)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010/2011</p></td><td><p>£0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011/2012</p></td><td><p>£0.4
million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012/2013</p></td><td><p>£2.3 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013/2014</p></td><td><p>£7.4
million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014/2015</p></td><td><p>£9.0 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015/2016</p></td><td><p>£10.8
million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016/2017</p></td><td><p>£12.4 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017/2018</p></td><td><p>£13.6
million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018/2019 (to date)</p></td><td><p>£10.6 million</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>The department’s total rental costs for land and buildings (including for the
department’s own use) are set out in the Consolidated Annual Report and Accounts.</p>
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