Schools in England must stay open five days a week this winter despite struggles with soaring energy costs, an education minister has said.
Some school leaders are reportedly considering three-day weeks to manage the sharp rise in gas and electricity bills.
But schools minister Will Quince insisted that classes should remain open, saying school leaders would be able manage within “existing budgets”.
Asked whether he acknowledged some schools might not be able to remain open five days a week, the minister told Sky News: “No, I don’t accept that – we expect schools to be open five days a week.”
Quince did not commit to any extra funding to make sure schools cope with the looming energy bill spike, but said he was keeping a “watchful eye” on the situation.
