Pupils at Cowley International College welcomed Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband MP during a visit last week to hear first-hand about the school’s work on sustainability and climate action.
The visit was attended by St Helens Borough Council Leader Councillor Anthony Burns, St Helens North MP David Baines, and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, highlighting the strong partnership between Labour representatives at local, regional and national level.
During his visit, the Secretary of State met with members of the school’s Eco Club to discuss their work supporting net zero initiatives and to hear their views on climate change. Pupils also spoke about their participation in the Youth Climate Commission workshop held at St Helens Town Hall. Mr Miliband toured the college and visited classrooms to see the impact of sustainability projects in action.
Cowley International College is one of 250 schools set to benefit from new solar panels funded through Great British Energy, helping schools cut energy costs, reduce carbon emissions and reinvest savings back into education.
Councillor Burns said: “It was great to welcome Ed Miliband to Cowley this week, and our thanks to Head teacher Mr Cormack, the staff and students who provided a great welcome for the Minister. In conversation the young people were very clear on their support for efforts to combat climate change and it’s important that we listen to them.
“As a council we have long committed to our role in tackling climate change and as part of our ambitions to make our borough net zero by 2040 we want to support every opportunity to help reduce our carbon emissions. With GB Energy providing schools like Cowley International College the chance to cut their emissions, it means the school can plough the energy savings back into education.”
In conversation the young people were very clear on their support for efforts to combat climate change and it's important that we listen to them. - Cllr Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Labour Council
David Baines, MP for St Helens North, said: “It was fantastic to welcome the Secretary of State to St Helens North to see the real impact these solar panels are going to have on schools like Cowley International College.
“For too long, rising energy bills and years of underinvestment have put unnecessary pressure on school budgets, forcing leaders to make difficult choices.
“This investment from Great British Energy – our new, publicly owned energy company set up by this Labour government – shows how we can cut bills with clean, home-grown power.
“That means more money staying in our schools and more focus on what really matters: giving our young people the best possible start in life.”
"This investment from Great British Energy – our new, publicly owned energy company set up by this Labour government – shows how we can cut bills with clean, home-grown power. That means more money staying in our schools and more focus on what really matters: giving our young people the best possible start in life." - David Baines MP for St Helens North
