NI schools could be hit by £13m of increased fuel costs

Schools will have to pay more for electricity oil and gas, according to a new report

Schools across Northern Ireland face higher bills as a result of soaring energy prices.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Education estimated schools would have to deal with increased fuel costs of around £13 million across the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years.

There have already been significant rises in energy costs, including electricity, oil and gas.

Analysts predict the Russian invasion will further increase energy prices.

The assessment, which follows a BBC NEWS NI request for information, also showed that schools were facing a £4.7 million rise in energy bills in 2020-2021 and a rise of just under £8 million in 2022-2023.

A few days ago, Northern Ireland’s Education Minister confirmed that schools will receive an extra £5 million to combat rising prices.

Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen said: “I recognise that energy price rises will result in increased utility bills for schools and I fully acknowledge the concerns expressed by our school leaders in this regard.

“For this reason, I am allocating almost £5 million of additional funding to schools to mitigate against the combined impacts of rising energy costs coupled with increased ventilation in schools during the winter months. Schools will be notified of their individual allocations in due course.

“In the meantime, any school facing financial difficulty should contact the EA, as funding authority for grant aided schools, in the normal way.”

In November, a school in Bristol reportedly asked pupils to wear warm clothes as it planned to limit the hours it switched on the heating to avoid skyrocketing energy bills.

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