The government has announced ￡1.2 billion of funding for schools, including ￡600 million to fund 100 free schools.

The news came as part of the Autumn Statement made today by chancellor George Osborne, who outlined plans to give ￡600 million to local authorities to deliver an additional 40,000 school places.

More details of the ￡400 million Get Britain Building investment fund were included in the statement, with the government set to issue a prospectus to interested developers by the end of the year.

The government also said it would review planning appeals procedures in order to “make the process faster and more transparent”. Proposals will be brought forward for implementation in summer 2012;

He also outlined the government’s commitment to build a new crossing across the lower Thames and said the coalition would explore “all the options”, including Foster & Partners’ proposals for the Thames Hub, to maintain the south of England’s status as an airport hub, but he ruled out a third runway at Heathrow.

Norman Foster said: “We are committed to working with government and wider industry stakeholders to put in place the transport connections Britain needs to encourage growth, job creation and trade with the rest of the world, particularly the emerging economies.

“This is an opportunity to reassert Britain’s role as a global hub and an international gateway. The chancellor’s Autumn Statement today is very encouraging and a step closer to achieving this goal.”

As expected the Autumn Statement included ￡6.3 billion of infrastructure spending, including investment in roads, rail and broadband connection.

Osborne announced government support for the extension of the Northern Line to Battersea, and said it would also consider creating a new enterprise zone in the area.