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Written question asked by Rachael Maskell (Labour) on Thursday, 15 December 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 December 2022 (named day). It was answered by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 December 2022 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Schools: Buildings

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has a policy on the minimum temperature at which (a) nursery, (b) primary and (c) secondary school classrooms can be safely used.

Answer

Schools and nurseries must follow the same health and safety laws for indoor temperatures as other workplaces.

During working hours, the temperature in all indoor workplaces must be reasonable.

Guidance on minimum temperatures is available from the Health and Safety Executive and available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/the-law.htm#:~:text=Minimum%20workplace%20temperature,work%20involves%20rigorous%20physical%20effort.

The Department issued guidance that includes suitable temperatures. This is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-efficiency-guidance-for-the-school-and-fe-college-estate/energy-efficiency-guidance-for-the-school-and-further-education-college-estate.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
111641
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Buildings Schools Temperature
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk