Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will bring forward proposals to make it compulsory for all schools to have defibrillators.

There is no legal requirement for schools to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED), but the government encourages them to do so as part of their first aid equipment.

AEDs are currently available for schools and other education providers in the UK to purchase through the National Health Service Supply Chain at a reduced cost. These arrangements are available to all UK schools including academies, independent schools, sixth-form colleges, further education institutions and early years settings (including holiday and out-of-school providers).

The government has produced guidance for schools on buying, installing and using an AED, which can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/automated-external-defibrillators-aeds-in-schools.