[1] The popularity of GM schools in some areas was attributed to the poor financial support offered by local education authorities.
GM schools were entitled to apply to central government for capital grants for essential building works.
The additional funding, distinct admissions policies and semi-independent status of grant-maintained schools were controversial and caused friction with LEAs.
[5] After the abolition of grant-maintained status, the only schools still directly funded by central government were the 15 City Technology Colleges.
It was described by journalist Mike Baker as "not an extension of the Labour government's academies, but the recreation of the grant-maintained (GM) schools".