To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


View sample alert

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Department for Education: Carbon Emissions
Tuesday 30th January 2024

Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what targets her Department has set to help achieve the Government's commitments on net zero.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The department sets out its plans to set targets to meet net zero in ‘Sustainability and Climate Change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems’, which was published in April 2022 and can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainability-and-climate-change-strategy/sustainability-and-climate-change-a-strategy-for-the-education-and-childrens-services-systems.

The department is on track to set science-based targets from 2025, ensuring the department plays its part in reducing public sector emissions by 50% by the end of Carbon Budget 5 in 2032 and by 75% by the end of Carbon Budget 6 in 2037, against a 2017 baseline.

To support the monitoring of targets, the department is developing a 2017 baseline for schools and maintained early years settings. The department has supported the publication of a standardised reporting framework for higher and further education, and the standardised reporting framework for nurseries and schools is due to be published this year.


Written Question
Schools: Carbon Emissions
Friday 20th October 2023

Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the report of the National Audit Office entitled, Environmental Sustainability Overview: Department for Education, published on 28 June 2023, what steps she is taking to support schools that are not included in the School Rebuilding Programme to become net zero carbon in operation.

Answered by Nick Gibb

In November 2021, the Department published a new zero carbon and climate resilient specification, for use on all new and refurbished school and college buildings. As well as being used on the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), the specification sets a wide range of performance and construction standards, including environmental above those required in building regulations. This includes design specifications so that buildings can be adapted for a 2°C rise in average global temperatures and future proofed for a 4°C rise, to adapt to the risks of climate change, including increased flooding and higher indoor temperatures. This is also available for use by responsible bodies and others who are encouraged to follow its minimum standards.

​The Department is also currently testing a range of approaches to operating schools at zero carbon; improving energy efficiency, and resilience to the effects of climate change; as well as using ultra-low carbon construction methods, that can be used to retrofit existing buildings, including the replacement of high carbon intensity heat sources.

​The Department works closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to help schools and colleges access the £1.4 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which supports the aim of reducing emissions from public sector buildings by 75% by 2037. Information on the Scheme can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/public-sector-decarbonisation-scheme.

​From October 2022, up to £635 million over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years has been made available through Phase 3b of the scheme for installing low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures in public buildings.

​Schools and those responsible for school buildings are also provided with guidance on sustainability, managing energy and water use and minimising waste in the Good Estate Management for Schools manual. This guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools.


Written Question
Maintained Schools: Carbon Emissions
Tuesday 5th September 2023

Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the percentage of maintained schools in England that will be retro-fitted with carbon neutral schemes by 2050.

Answered by Nick Gibb

The Department has not made an estimate of the percentage of maintained schools that will be retrofitted with carbon neutral schemes by 2050.

The Department’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy includes four strategic aims, one of which is ‘Net zero: reducing direct and indirect emissions from education and care buildings, driving innovation to meet legislative targets and providing opportunities for children and young people to engage practically in the transition to net zero'.

The strategy sets out the Department’s approach to retrofit as innovate, test, and invest. By piloting retrofit, the Department can determine the best technology and the best value for money approach. The Department wants to ensure the right technology is used before rolling out at scale.

The Schools Commercial Decarbonisation Project aims to pilot and test initiatives that will support schools to improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, helping them to achieve net zero. The Department is also currently testing low cost, high impact interventions under the Resilient School Programme. The data and evidence gathered through this work will shape future delivery.

This includes the replacement of high carbon intensity heat sources through piloting energy pods, testing the feasibility of replacing school boilers with ground source or air source heat pumps, air quality monitoring and learning from the GenZero research and biophilic prototype school.


Written Question
Maintained Schools: Energy
Tuesday 5th September 2023

Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate her Department has made of the cost of retro-fitting the maintained school estate to improve energy efficiency.

Answered by Nick Gibb

The Department has not made an estimate of the percentage of maintained schools that will be retrofitted with carbon neutral schemes by 2050.

The Department’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy includes four strategic aims, one of which is ‘Net zero: reducing direct and indirect emissions from education and care buildings, driving innovation to meet legislative targets and providing opportunities for children and young people to engage practically in the transition to net zero'.

The strategy sets out the Department’s approach to retrofit as innovate, test, and invest. By piloting retrofit, the Department can determine the best technology and the best value for money approach. The Department wants to ensure the right technology is used before rolling out at scale.

The Schools Commercial Decarbonisation Project aims to pilot and test initiatives that will support schools to improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, helping them to achieve net zero. The Department is also currently testing low cost, high impact interventions under the Resilient School Programme. The data and evidence gathered through this work will shape future delivery.

This includes the replacement of high carbon intensity heat sources through piloting energy pods, testing the feasibility of replacing school boilers with ground source or air source heat pumps, air quality monitoring and learning from the GenZero research and biophilic prototype school.


Written Question
Maintained Schools: Sustainable Development
Monday 4th September 2023

Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what school capital funding streams are available to improve the sustainability of maintained schools in England.

Answered by Nick Gibb

As committed to in the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, the Department will produce a progress report on the implementation of this strategy. ​ The report is anticipated to be published in December 2023.

Accountability arrangements are already in place through the Department’s official governance.

£170 million has been allocated to the Sustainability and Climate Change portfolio between 2022/23 and 2024/25. Of this, £138 million (81%) is part of the Department’s innovate, test, invest process to identify measures to make education buildings more sustainable or more resilient to climate change. This will ensure evidence is at the heart of decision making.

The remaining 19% is focused on cross cutting initiatives to drive systems change, including the National Education Nature Park, support to schools and colleges to put in place climate action plans and setting up systems to assess the risk of climate change and report emissions.

The Department also continues to work with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to help schools and colleges access the £1.4 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to improve sustainability. From October 2022, up to £635 million has been made available through Phase 3b of the scheme for installing low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures in public buildings over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years, with a minimum of 30% going to schools and colleges. This will help to cut emissions and save on energy bills. Phase 3b closed on 31 October 2022 and Phase 3c is expected to open for applications in autumn 2023.

New school buildings delivered by the Department, such as through the School Rebuilding Programme, are designed and fully funded to be net zero carbon in operation and more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Capital funding is also allocated every year to improve the condition of school buildings, including improving energy efficiency. The Department allocated £1.8 billion for financial year 2023/24, including funding for Local Authorities to allocate to their maintained schools.

In 2022 to 2023, eligible schools and sixth-form colleges received an allocation from an additional £447 million of capital funding to improve energy efficiency. This is part of an additional £500 million of capital funding for schools and further education institutions in England.

Capital allocations are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding.


Written Question
Climate Change and Sustainable Development: Education
Monday 4th September 2023

Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding her Department has allocated to implementing the Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.

Answered by Nick Gibb

As committed to in the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, the Department will produce a progress report on the implementation of this strategy. ​ The report is anticipated to be published in December 2023.

Accountability arrangements are already in place through the Department’s official governance.

£170 million has been allocated to the Sustainability and Climate Change portfolio between 2022/23 and 2024/25. Of this, £138 million (81%) is part of the Department’s innovate, test, invest process to identify measures to make education buildings more sustainable or more resilient to climate change. This will ensure evidence is at the heart of decision making.

The remaining 19% is focused on cross cutting initiatives to drive systems change, including the National Education Nature Park, support to schools and colleges to put in place climate action plans and setting up systems to assess the risk of climate change and report emissions.

The Department also continues to work with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to help schools and colleges access the £1.4 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to improve sustainability. From October 2022, up to £635 million has been made available through Phase 3b of the scheme for installing low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures in public buildings over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years, with a minimum of 30% going to schools and colleges. This will help to cut emissions and save on energy bills. Phase 3b closed on 31 October 2022 and Phase 3c is expected to open for applications in autumn 2023.

New school buildings delivered by the Department, such as through the School Rebuilding Programme, are designed and fully funded to be net zero carbon in operation and more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Capital funding is also allocated every year to improve the condition of school buildings, including improving energy efficiency. The Department allocated £1.8 billion for financial year 2023/24, including funding for Local Authorities to allocate to their maintained schools.

In 2022 to 2023, eligible schools and sixth-form colleges received an allocation from an additional £447 million of capital funding to improve energy efficiency. This is part of an additional £500 million of capital funding for schools and further education institutions in England.

Capital allocations are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding.


Written Question
Academies: Sustainable Development
Monday 4th September 2023

Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that environmental sustainability is prioritised when constructing new academies and free schools.

Answered by Nick Gibb

The Department takes its commitment to environment sustainability seriously. In November 2021, the Department updated its school building standards to ensure that all new schools will deliver net-zero carbon in operation. This update also included other sustainability improvements, including targets for increased greening and sustainable water management on school sites. These requirements can be accessed at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employers-requirements-part-b-generic-design-brief .

In December 2022 the Department produced guidance to support all schools to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and therefore reduce their carbon emissions. This guidance can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-efficiency-guidance-for-the-school-and-fe-college-estate.

Additionally, in 2022/23, £447 million of capital funding was made available to eligible schools and sixth form colleges to improve their energy efficiency.


Written Question
Maintained Schools: Carbon Emissions and Energy
Monday 4th September 2023

Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help (a) reduce emissions and (b) improve energy efficiency in maintained schools in England.

Answered by Nick Gibb

The Department takes its commitment to environment sustainability seriously. In November 2021, the Department updated its school building standards to ensure that all new schools will deliver net-zero carbon in operation. This update also included other sustainability improvements, including targets for increased greening and sustainable water management on school sites. These requirements can be accessed at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employers-requirements-part-b-generic-design-brief .

In December 2022 the Department produced guidance to support all schools to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and therefore reduce their carbon emissions. This guidance can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-efficiency-guidance-for-the-school-and-fe-college-estate.

Additionally, in 2022/23, £447 million of capital funding was made available to eligible schools and sixth form colleges to improve their energy efficiency.


Written Question
Climate Change and Sustainable Development: Education
Monday 4th September 2023

Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to publish an update on progress made against the Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy commitments.

Answered by Nick Gibb

As committed to in the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, the Department will produce a progress report on the implementation of this strategy. ​ The report is anticipated to be published in December 2023.

Accountability arrangements are already in place through the Department’s official governance.

£170 million has been allocated to the Sustainability and Climate Change portfolio between 2022/23 and 2024/25. Of this, £138 million (81%) is part of the Department’s innovate, test, invest process to identify measures to make education buildings more sustainable or more resilient to climate change. This will ensure evidence is at the heart of decision making.

The remaining 19% is focused on cross cutting initiatives to drive systems change, including the National Education Nature Park, support to schools and colleges to put in place climate action plans and setting up systems to assess the risk of climate change and report emissions.

The Department also continues to work with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to help schools and colleges access the £1.4 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to improve sustainability. From October 2022, up to £635 million has been made available through Phase 3b of the scheme for installing low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures in public buildings over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years, with a minimum of 30% going to schools and colleges. This will help to cut emissions and save on energy bills. Phase 3b closed on 31 October 2022 and Phase 3c is expected to open for applications in autumn 2023.

New school buildings delivered by the Department, such as through the School Rebuilding Programme, are designed and fully funded to be net zero carbon in operation and more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Capital funding is also allocated every year to improve the condition of school buildings, including improving energy efficiency. The Department allocated £1.8 billion for financial year 2023/24, including funding for Local Authorities to allocate to their maintained schools.

In 2022 to 2023, eligible schools and sixth-form colleges received an allocation from an additional £447 million of capital funding to improve energy efficiency. This is part of an additional £500 million of capital funding for schools and further education institutions in England.

Capital allocations are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding.


Written Question
Climate Change and Sustainable Development: Education
Monday 4th September 2023

Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans for the accountability arrangements for the Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy to become operational.

Answered by Nick Gibb

As committed to in the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, the Department will produce a progress report on the implementation of this strategy. ​ The report is anticipated to be published in December 2023.

Accountability arrangements are already in place through the Department’s official governance.

£170 million has been allocated to the Sustainability and Climate Change portfolio between 2022/23 and 2024/25. Of this, £138 million (81%) is part of the Department’s innovate, test, invest process to identify measures to make education buildings more sustainable or more resilient to climate change. This will ensure evidence is at the heart of decision making.

The remaining 19% is focused on cross cutting initiatives to drive systems change, including the National Education Nature Park, support to schools and colleges to put in place climate action plans and setting up systems to assess the risk of climate change and report emissions.

The Department also continues to work with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to help schools and colleges access the £1.4 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to improve sustainability. From October 2022, up to £635 million has been made available through Phase 3b of the scheme for installing low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures in public buildings over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years, with a minimum of 30% going to schools and colleges. This will help to cut emissions and save on energy bills. Phase 3b closed on 31 October 2022 and Phase 3c is expected to open for applications in autumn 2023.

New school buildings delivered by the Department, such as through the School Rebuilding Programme, are designed and fully funded to be net zero carbon in operation and more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Capital funding is also allocated every year to improve the condition of school buildings, including improving energy efficiency. The Department allocated £1.8 billion for financial year 2023/24, including funding for Local Authorities to allocate to their maintained schools.

In 2022 to 2023, eligible schools and sixth-form colleges received an allocation from an additional £447 million of capital funding to improve energy efficiency. This is part of an additional £500 million of capital funding for schools and further education institutions in England.

Capital allocations are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding.