Some £500M of funding has been allocated for energy efficiency upgrades in schools and colleges, with an extra £2Bn for schools next year to be split between mainstream schools and high needs.

The funding will be used to help the establishments save on energy bills during the winter months and manage energy consumption. Improvements could include installing better heating controls, insulation to reduce heat loss from pipes or switching to energy efficient lighting.

The funding builds on the Government’s Energy Relief Scheme which is supporting schools and colleges this winter, and will run until the spring. The Autumn Statement saw the government promise an extra £2bn funding for schools next year and the year after.

This £2Bn of new money will be allocated between mainstream schools and high needs funding. Local councils will get an extra £400M for high needs budgets, to help support children with special educational needs or disabilities. Academies, maintained mainstream schools and special schools will all be guaranteed a funding boost, which will arrive from April next year.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine is driving up energy prices worldwide, so it is important to look at the things we can do to make classrooms more energy efficient and resilient to price fluctuations.

“We’re putting this cash in the hands of school and college leaders quickly, so they can decide what work is needed and so that our brilliant teachers can focus on teaching in a warm and safe environment.

“Education is rightly a top priority for this Government and we will continue to strive to provide every child with a world-class education.”

New guidance has also been published to support schools to maximise energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability and resilience this winter and beyond.

This funding comes on top of £1.8Bn of capital funding already committed this year for improving the condition of school buildings. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is also investing over £1.4Bn in public sector buildings, including schools over the next three financial years.

This investment provides many opportunities for smaller businesses looking to break into the public sector.

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