Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43285 on Schools: Solar Power, whether any schools in Bedfordshire are on the long list.

​​Pursuant to my answer of 10 April 2025, work is still progressing on finalising the long and short lists of projects in the East of England region to participate in this first year of the Great British Energy Solar Partnership programme. The department hopes to have finalised the selection before the summer break. ​

In the interim, we are providing support for all schools and colleges to start on their journey towards net zero via our new online sustainability support for education platform and our climate ambassador programme. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sustainability-leadership-and-climate-action-plans-in-education.

Where schools are considering the purchase of solar panels or other sustainable systems, our ‘Get help for buying’ service provides support to ensure that schemes procured are of high quality and value to the sector. More information can be found here: https://gethelpbuyingforschools.campaign.gov.uk/.

​Details of other government funding available to public bodies for sustainability can also be found at this website, prepared by the Crown Commercial Service: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/social-value/carbon-net-zero/funding-and-grants.