Rising cost of energy for businesses

Available for over a year

A number of headteachers have told BBC Essex the energy bills for the schools have more than trebled this year One school we've spoken to says their gas and electric has gone up from £27,000 a year to £99,000 a year - an increase of over £70,000. Others say they think school trips will be affected as less people will be able to afford them, and another school says the cost of paper has also doubled. BBC Essex speaks to Richard Potter, headteacher of Home Farm School in Lexden. A Department for Education spokesperson said they are looking carefully at how these rises will impact schools and considering what additional support they could offer. But it's not just schools affected by the rising cost of energy. BBC Essex also speaks to Sarah Thompson, CEO of St Clare Hospice in Harlow, and Harry Carnaby from Aquabelle Swim School in Billericay.