Written question asked by John Battle (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 December 2009. It was answered by Diana Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 December 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Schools: Energy

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what advice and assistance his Department provides to schools to enable them to reduce their energy use.

Answer: DCSF supports schools in reducing their energy in a number of ways. Under advice from the Department's Zero Carbon Task Force, DCSF has recently contracted with British Gas to provide display energy meters to all schools that wish to have one installed. The meters will enable schools to easily monitor their energy usage, and research shows that meters are an effective way of helping users of buildings to manage their energy demands. .The display meter offer builds on the Department's Sustainable Schools framework that has been promoted over a number of years by DCSF and through the Government Office network. The framework encourages action on energy reduction and provides guidance including top tips on how this can be achieved.The Department also promotes to schools the use of energy contracts that are consistent with criteria considered value for money by the Office of Government Commerce.

Secondary information