Replacement of the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) in 2028

1. Overview of the Change 

From Autumn 2028, the Department for Education will replace the CIF programme with a new approach to capital maintenance funding.

Key change: Eligible Responsible Bodies will no longer need to submit individual, competitive CIF bids. Funding will instead be allocated through a streamlined, data‑informed maintenance programme.

2. Why CIF is Being Replaced 

Feedback from the sector highlighted several challenges with the current CIF system:

• High administrative burden and resource dependency for bid writing

• Inequity for smaller organisations lacking bid-writing capacity

• Short‑term, reactive repairs rather than strategic asset management

• Insufficient certainty to plan multi‑year investment and reduce backlog maintenance

The strategy responds by moving capital maintenance into a predictable, evidence‑based, long‑term model.

3. What Replaces CIF 

A new capital maintenance funding programme will launch by Autumn 2028, characterised by:

a. No competitive bidding 

Funding will be allocated automatically based on national condition data. Eligible Responsible Bodies will not submit annual bids.

b. Data-driven allocation 

The new approach is enabled by major reforms including:

• Responsible Bodies collecting their own estate condition data from 2027, using standardised national criteria

• Mandatory two‑way data sharing with DfE via Manage Your Education Estate by 2028

• National coverage of consistent, comparable data sets informing funding allocations

c. Multi-year maintenance certainty 

The DfE will provide:

• Long‑term visibility of future allocations

• Advance notice of changes to funding methodology

• Greater stability for strategic planning and lifecycle maintenance

4. Key Milestones Leading to CIF Replacement 

Year	Milestone
2026–27	Pilots begin: Responsible Bodies start collecting their own condition data using common standards.
Autumn 2027	National rollout: All Responsible Bodies expected to collect condition data in the new format.
2028	Two‑way data sharing established between Responsible Bodies and DfE.
Autumn 2028	CIF replaced with a new capital maintenance funding programme - no more bid submissions.

5. Implications for Senior Leaders 

a. Strategic estate planning becomes essential 

With predictable allocations, organisations must ensure high‑quality asset management plans aligned to:

• Lifecycle maintenance

• Condition risk

• Climate resilience

• Suitability and SEND priorities

b. Data capability becomes a critical responsibility

 

Leaders must ensure capacity to:

• Collect accurate condition data

• Maintain compliant digital asset systems

• Engage through the Manage Your Education Estate platform

• Meet new annual reporting expectations

c. Strong governance and compliance required 

The shift brings greater accountability:

• Annual return on estate management standards (from 2026)

• Increased visibility of estate performance

• Potential intervention where standards are not met

d. Reduced administrative burden 

Eliminating the CIF bid cycle will:

• Free significant staff time

• Reduce consultancy costs

• Allow resources to shift from bidding to strategic estate management

e. More equitable funding distribution 

Allocations will be based on need, size and condition rather than bid quality - improving fairness across the sector.

6. Actions Required (2026-2028) 

Immediate (within 12 months)

• Review readiness for new estate management standards

• Map current data systems against forthcoming national structures

• Begin strengthening in‑house condition data capability

2027

• Implement required data‑collection standards

• Ensure digital asset management tools meet minimum requirements

2028

• Prepare for transition to the new capital maintenance programme

• Finalise strategic asset management plans aligned to long‑term funding

7. Summary 

The end of CIF marks a major structural shift toward a predictable, strategic and data‑led model of school and college estate management. From 2028, Responsible Bodies will no longer bid competitively for maintenance funding. Instead, they will operate within a modernised system that rewards strong estate management and supports long‑term investment in safe, sustainable, and resilient education buildings.

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For advice on preparing for this change and to find out how we can provide ongoing support with the new capital maintenance funding programme, get in touch with our team.