DfE opens online marketplace for air purifiers

The Department for Education has launched an online “marketplace” for schools to buy air purifiers in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

The DfE has said it plans to provide 1,000 air cleaning units for alternative provision and specialist or mainstream SEND settings, but has said that other settings must fund the equipment themselves.

The government has confirmed deals with six  suppliers to sell two recommended units for schools at agreed prices.

The products are the Dyson Pure Cool Formaldehyde TP09, which costs £424.82 per unit, and the Camfil City M, costing £1170 per unit. 

Both products are said to remove more than 99.9 per cent of ultrafine particles in the air.

When procuring these devices, the Educational establishments must quote the unique number: BME-13742-202. This will ensure that the price point agreed with DfE is met by the supplier and that the educational establishment remains compliant under the terms and conditions of the CCS framework.

Stephen Morgan MP, Labour’s Shadow Schools Minister criticised the government last week over their lack support in helping schools put in place venitilation. He said: “It is already cold. In a month’s time it will be colder. Ministers must get ahead of this virus now and put in place the ventilation systems which Labour, teachers and parents have been calling for many months. Schools are having to spend money on energy bills which they should be spending on our children.”