Unions call for funding increase to address energy price hike

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the National Education Union (NEU) are calling on the Government to close funding gaps and award grants to pay for the increase in energy bills.

According to I, both unions have ruled out school closures, but it is expected that energy cost increases will lead to cuts to teaching hours and the loss of more teaching assistants.

NAHT president Dr Paul Gosling said: “There’s been rumours of schools being forced to go to a four-day week, but I don’t know a head teacher that wants to do that. Instead, they will keep the school open in the knowledge that they will be in deficit by the end of the financial year on 31 March.

“I had budgeted for a £50,000 surplus in the current year, but with energy costs at least doubling and staff costs going up – and teachers deserve a pay rise – we are now heading for a £30,000 deficit."

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, added: “The government’s appalling handling of education funding over many years is coming home to roost. The cost-of-living crisis, as with austerity and Covid before it, reveals for all to see the serious challenges facing schools. A huge hike in energy bills will make a bad situation even worse.

“It is in the interests of the whole school community that a major funding increase reflecting the huge real-terms losses over many years is announced by the next Conservative leader – one that will benefit all schools, all staff and all pupils.”