Market gridlock

There are 900,000 surplus school places in England alone, with one in six schools being less than three-quarters full, according to a recent report from the Audit Commission. However, one school in three is operating at above its official capacity, and overcrowding has become common. The report indicates that savings of 100 million pounds sterling a year could be made if 40% of the surplus school places were eliminated. Central and local government are both guilty of wasteful admissions arrangements.