Department for Education launches price comparison site for schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced it is to launch a new website to help schools cut energy bills.
The DfE says that the site will allow schools to get instant quotes from a range of gas and electricity firms, similar to price comparison websites available for household energy.
The latest figures from 2016/17 show state-funded schools in England spent more than £584 million on gas and electricity, with the average secondary school spending around £90,000 a year on energy. The Department hopes that the comparison site will help schools save on spending.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “Many households shop around for the best deal on their gas and electricity – and I want to help schools do the same.
“By saving money on their energy bills and avoiding high broker fees, the more money schools will have to spend on what really matters – getting the best teachers into classrooms and giving their pupils a great education.
“This website is the latest step in our efforts to help schools reduce unnecessary costs, building on the School Resource Management Strategy I launched last year to provide practical advice and support.”
The website, developed with the Crown Commercial Service, is launching with a limited number of energy suppliers initially, but it is reported that more will be added over time.