Think of a school and you probably imagine exams, essays, bland lunches in the school canteen and detentions for not turning in homework. It’s true that schools are places that offer an academic passport to navigate future life, but they are increasingly becoming so much more than places of learning. That’s why the Government’s current inaction to help our nation’s schools weather the energy crisis will have a catastrophic impact on communities up and down the country.
At the moment, we are all bracing ourselves for what our energy bills will look like come autumn. Alarmingly, chancellor Nadhim Zahawi warned that even those earning £45,000 a year (significantly higher than the national average wage) will still struggle to make ends meet. But it’s not just personal household bills that are a source of anxiety – leaders in education, the NHS and social care have been left wondering how they will continue to run often substantial buildings without resorting to further cuts to vital services.
