Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, is working with Government Ministers to support Bilton Primary School upgrade its ageing fluorescent light bulbs.
On a recent visit, where Graham also had the opportunity to speak to the students on the School Council and the Young Influencers group, Graham heard Head Sara Atkinson’s aspiration to upgrade the school’s ageing fluorescent light strips as part of a drive to bring down bills and improve the school’s energy efficiency.
In response, Graham contacted Energy Efficiency Minister Lord Callanan to find out what funds could be available to the school. Lord Callanan has highlighted that new funding for energy efficiency measures should be available to schools in the coming financial year. Graham has written to Bilton and all other schools in Beverley and Holderness to make them aware of these forthcoming grants and how to apply for them.
This is in addition to the £1.425 billion investment in reducing public sector buildings’ emissions by 75% by 2037.
At his visit, Graham was delighted to hear the interest the children have for the environment and energy efficiency in general. In a question and answer session with both the School Council and Young Influencers Graham heard a clear desire to improve the environment both locally, nationally and worldwide.
Graham saw the school’s grounds and classrooms and was impressed by the lengths Ms Atkinson is going to to make the school a thriving community with a real family atmosphere.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said: “Sara Atkinson is a formidable head of Bilton Primary School, and it’s clear that she’ll stop at nothing to make the school the best it can be. And it’s working.
“The children I met were bright, engaging and unafraid to question me about any number of topics – from environmental issues to my work locally to how the House of Commons works.
“I’m pleased to have been able to provide an answer to the school on potential future grants, and I hope Bilton and other schools across Beverley and Holderness will apply for as many grants as possible.
“The money is there to be spent, and I would be delighted to see it reducing costs at our schools.”
Head of Bilton Primary School, Sara Atkinson, said, “It was great to welcome Graham to our primary school and I hope he was as impressed with our young learners as I am.
"I'm grateful for his information about grants to make the school more energy efficient, and look forward to applying for our share of any future money available so we can invest more of our resources into educating our children "
