Balls in save cash call to schools

12 April 2012

Children's Secretary Ed Balls is to call for schools to save money through a series of belt-tightening measures.

Speaking to the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust's (SSAT) annual conference, Mr Balls will challenge schools to have an "honest" debate about making the best use of resources amid pressures on the public purse.

He will also set out key areas for more effective investment alongside discussions and advice for schools to get the best value for money out of their budgets.

It comes as Mr Balls confirms high-tech "smart" electricity meters are to be installed in up to 12,000 schools from January. The Government believes meters and other changes in using electricity could see primary schools saving up to £700 a year and a secondary school more than £3,000 a year on fuel bills alone.

The £12m scheme will be part of a major campaign launched early next year to reduce demand for energy and change teachers and pupils' behaviour using electricity in every school in England. According to Mr Balls, the campaign will help reach a long-term ambition for all new school buildings to produce no carbon emissions from their day-to-day use.

The meters give "real-time" digital read outs on how much electricity a building is using second-by-second. It will mean that heads, teachers and support staff can see the immediate impact of high energy use and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and bills.

The move comes ahead of the Zero Carbon Taskforce final report, Copenhagen Climate Change Summit and a new drive in schools on how best to invest public money. All schools will be able to apply for the scheme - and ministers will consider extending it if it proves successful.

Mr Balls made the announcement as he visited St Luke's Primary School in Newham, east London, which has focused on being an eco-friendly environment.

He was there to receive a statement, on behalf of the Prime Minister, from 1,500 children ahead of the Copenhagen summit calling on the Government to demand that ministers take urgent action on climate change.

https://www.ssatrust.org.uk/Pages/home.aspx(Specialist Schools and Academies Trust)

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