Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said he is 'looking very closely' at schools' costs, which includes rising energy and food prices.
He said energy costs are 'about 1.4, 1.5% of a school's budget' on Times Radio today.
'The schools who are out of contract, which are a minority, that 1.4, 1.5% jumps up to maybe 7, 8, 9, 10%, so we're looking very carefully at that,' he added.
He said the spending review settlement had given the Department for Education some 'headroom', so is speaking with headteachers and unions about the issue.
'I'm looking to see how I can help those if they are out of contract, partly to help them get the best deal but also to see where that pressure is really acute, how we can help them,' he said.
