To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many new schools applied for grants under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in each year since 2006; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that schools are aware of the programme.

I have been asked to reply.

The number of schools that have applied for grants under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme are detailed as follows:

We are promoting the Low Carbon Buildings Programme through the Sustainable Schools website and have made local authorities aware of the programme through our regular communications channels, and promoted the scheme at major conferences and events. Further details can be obtained from:

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools/search/search_results.cfm

The Government require all new school buildings to reduce carbon emissions from new school buildings by 60 per cent. through a combination of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy systems, and provides additional funding to all new secondary schools within BSF (Building Schools for the Future), academies and One School Pathfinder programmes for this purpose. There are also requirements within building regulations and local planning requirements that encourage microgeneration for new buildings.