Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he has taken to assess the energy use of schools in York.

Responsible bodies, including local authorities and academy trusts, have a responsibility to ensure assets are operated and maintained effectively. This includes energy efficiency improvements. Since 2008, all school buildings are legally required to have Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs). These are intended to raise awareness of energy use in buildings and provide recommendations associated with energy efficiency.

The Department for Education collects data, including Display Energy Certificates data across the estate, as well as energy data on new school buildings. However, there are currently no plans to assess the energy use of schools in York specifically. The department provides the sector with guidance on energy efficiency such as minimising energy, water and waste within the following guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy set up the £1 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) in 2020 which provided grants for eligible public sector bodies, including schools, to fund energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation measures across their estate. Phase 3 of the PSDS is now open for applications and we encourage schools in York to apply for this scheme. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-sector-decarbonisation-scheme-phase-3.