Story by Rory Poulter

The energy price crisis is threatening schools across the borough with some facing a five-fold increase in bills, the Twickenham MP has warned.

Munira Wilson challenged ministers in the House of Commons this week, pointing out that she had been contacted by two primary schools who face a rise in annual energy bills from £30,000 to £150,000.

Separately, in a second intervention she said the cost of living crisis is now so serious that one school leader in the borough is considering offering evening meals to children.

She said many schools face a budget deficit by September and she asked: "Will the Education Secretary be advising staff cuts, turning off the heating or letting pupils to go hungry?"

The government has put in place a six month price cap for businesses and public services, such as schools, but the MP said this is not long enough to allow them to draw up a viable budget.

"They are having to make terribly difficult decisions like laying off teaching assistants, cutting school trips and extra-curricular activities."

She asked the government to look at introducing at least a one year price cap to limit the strain on budgets.

Treasury Minister, Andrew Griffith, accepted the need to give schools as long as possible to plan their budgets and said Education and Energy ministers 'will have heard her points'.

Education Secretary Kit Malthouse, who subsequently lost his job in the new Sunak government, said: "We recognise that schools are under significant pressure, as is most of society, and we have to work together to try and get through it in good shape.

"We will obviously be making representations to Treasury colleagues … about what those pressure are so the Chancellor and new Prime Minister are able to make choices within a priority framework which reflects the priority of the government."

Following her interactions with Ministers in the chamber, Munira said: "While the Conservative party has spent its time bickering over yet another new leader, Liberal Democrat MPs continue to represent our constituents in Parliament.

"Local schools and residents unprotected by the Ofgem energy price cap continue to contact me in fear over what the future holds. They need stability of government and clear, long-term support as we enter the winter."