SECONDARY SCHOOLS across Warrington are facing soaring electricity bills, with some paying nearly £50,000 extra a year.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that the three secondary schools controlled and funded by Warrington Borough Council are facing costs rising by an average of 105 per cent.
This comes as households across the country are struggling with rising bills across the board, as the cost of living crisis continues.
The most common reasons from adults who said their cost of living had increased were the price of food shopping (92%), gas or electricity bills (85%), and fuel (79%).
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) May 13, 2022
Of these, 58% said they were most worried about an increase in gas and electricity bills https://t.co/y4YxQygkb4 pic.twitter.com/8eJ1NGz6M4
In 2019, one secondary school's monthly electricity bill was £4,262 - this year, the bill in May had risen to £9,170; this is an increase of 115 per cent.
With schools being open for around 10 months of the year, this would be an annual increase of nearly £50,000 for this school - from £42,629.90 to £91,704.40.
The Department for Education surveyed schools across the country about the rising cost of energy, and how it has impacted them - but the report's findings have yet to be published, due to "recent political events."
Exclusive: Schools were asked to complete a survey on rising gas and electricity bills, to see what ‘additional support’ @educationgovuk could provide, but the results have not been published yet due to ‘recent political events’, the DfE has saidhttps://t.co/jfwbdktPzA
— Tes (@tes) July 23, 2022
The survey results are expected to highlight what support schools want to see from the government in order to tackle the rising running costs.
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: "The current cost of energy is at an all-time high and is an issue for every energy customer.
"From April 2022, our school electricity costs increased by 60 per cent for smaller schools and 100 per cent for larger schools. Academy schools procure their own energy so their increases are not known."
They added: "We are part of a purchasing consortium via the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO). They purchase gas and electricity on behalf of the consortium flexibly.
"The electricity contract runs for four years and is due to expire March 2023.
"The YPO will continue to purchase gas and electricity when prices are lower to help keep any increases to a minimum."
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