School energy costs have risen by more than half in Oxfordshire over the past academic year, new figures show.

Figures from the Department for Education show £3.22 million was spent on energy for local authority-run schools in Oxfordshire in the 2022-23 academic year.

This was up 55 per cent from the £2.08 million spent the year before and was the highest figure since at least 2015-16, when records were first available.

The Local Government Association said many schools have been voicing concerns about their financial stability.

LGA’s Louise Gittins said schools are facing higher costs from "fuel, energy and food for school meals, alongside the need to fund agreed staff pay rises, and support for a growing number of pupils experiencing disadvantage."

Schools in Oxfordshire spent £111 per pupil on energy in 2022-23, up from £72 the year.

Daniel Kebede of the National Education Union said schools have been left to deal with "leaky, draughty, energy inefficient buildings" and higher bills.

He said: "For many schools, the problems are such that rebuilding is the only answer, but the Government's record on this is woeful."

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "We know that schools have faced increased energy bills.

“We took account of this and made additional investment in total school funding to cover costs – a £4 billion increase in 2022-23, and a further £3.9 billion this year.

"School funding is rising to more than £59.6 billion next year – the highest ever level in real terms per pupil."