School leaders are sounding the alarm in increasingly revealing terms over huge increases in energy bills, which have threatened to overwhelm carefully managed budgets and cause financial collapse. “While it is positive to have more detail on the Government’s plans to help schools with rising energy costs, we have real concerns that this simply does not go far enough,” said Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Union of Head Teachers. . “Even with this cap, many schools will still find themselves facing far higher bills than budgets, which will require widespread cuts to their educational provision. We are also very concerned that schools have no certainty of costs beyond six months.” On Wednesday, the government announced a “supported wholesale price” expected to be £211 per megawatt hour for electricity and £75 for gas, which it estimates would be less than half the wholesale prices expected this winter. essentially capping prices for six months. Ministers say the scheme will equate to monthly savings of £4,000 for a school paying £10,000 a month for energy and have promised to review the scheme in three months. Education unions said the government scheme would help, but criticized the six-month limit, warning it meant continued uncertainty for schools, which have also been hit by an unfunded pay gap for teachers and support staff. A finance director of a small trust in the south-east, where a school has seen its gas bills rise by 671%, told the Guardian: “Government intervention is very welcome and will certainly help. “However, for anyone who has signed up to a two-year fix, like us, it just pushes the problem into the next year as the relief only lasts for six months. The government should continue to support schools and hospitals as long as energy costs remain high.” Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Schools are still paying far more for their energy than expected a year ago, with damaging consequences for education. Unless funding is significantly improved, schools will have little choice but to increase class sizes, cut course options and reduce additional support.” Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The early years sector, which will also benefit from the cap, called for additional future support for nurseries. Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nursery Association, said: “Childcare businesses – which are closing at an alarming rate – are absolutely fundamental to both child development and parental employment. Because of their importance and the risks they face, they should be classified as vulnerable to receive additional future support.” Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson said the announcement had left schools and colleges under a cloud of damaging uncertainty. “Their bills will continue to rise and the edge of the cliff has only been pushed back for six months. Children’s learning will suffer when money meant for teachers and equipment is diverted to keep them warm.”
