We welcome Rachel Reeves’ promise to provide £6.7bn capital investment to the Department for Education next year – a 19% real-terms increase on this year. We also welcome the Government’s £1.4bn re-commitment to the school rebuilding programme, but much more is needed.
Alex Green, Head of Let’s Go Zero at climate solutions charity Ashden, says:
“There needs to be further investment and hands on support for schools to retrofit, making schools more energy efficient, save money and improve learning environments. With the changes to fiscal rules announced today – we look forward to seeing how an increased investment in our education estate can help schools become leaders in our society’s transition to net zero.
“This is the tip of the iceberg. UK schools are ready to tackle the climate crisis, but they need funding and support to make real progress. We urge the Government to expand its commitment at the Spring Spending Review to ensure all schools are refurbished to net zero standards and resilient against climate impacts. On the right track, but more is needed.
“UK schools are eager to take on the climate crisis: more than 4,000 have joined our Let’s Go Zero campaign, showing their desire to become zero carbon by 2030. Those schools, and our many campaign partners, will want Government to show more ambition – now and in the years ahead.”
