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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Education chief moves GMB fans with refusal to shut schools as they face £10m energy bills

Good Morning Britain viewers applauded guest Steve Chalke on the show on Monday, with many moved over his "passionate" statement regarding increasing energy bills.

With schools across the UK not benefiting from a price cap, due to them being considered a business, it's estimated the 52 London schools run by Steve's charity are facing a combined bill cost of £10 million - having tripled from the current £3million.

As the UK heads for winter, it is feared schools will be forced to close or make sacrifices due to the increasing cost to run them, but Steve is not prepared to shut any of his schools, he has said.

The education trust boss is even prepared to go to court if his schools do end up in debt, if they are unable to pay the £10million estimated energy bills.

With schools facing tough action if they were to get into debt, the show guest explained that if they cannot afford the costs he would still keep his schools open for pupils, whatever the consequences.

Good Morning viewers applauded guest Steve Chalke on the show on Monday (ITV)

Steve said "schools are running on the edge and down to the bone" due to increasing costs and sacrifices they have had to make.

He revealed he hadn't had to make any tough sacrifices for the time being, including the axing of school trips, 'non-essential' subjects, building repairs and even teaching assistants.

Steve then shared his refusal to close any of the 52 schools over winter even if they run into debt, as he believed it was their responsibility to not only protect pupils' education, but to avoid increasing costs for families by sending pupils home.

He protested: "We're not shutting, so we'll get into debt. Of course I would be prepared to go to court. We have to keep the lights on and the heat on and the food on the table for families.

Steve Chalke, the founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, issued a passionate speech as he refused to consider shutting any of his schools this winter (ITV)

"In our schools we had three times the national average of free school meals because we work in communities where there is loads of economic and social hardship. That's the job we came to do. We're not going to give up on this. The cost is the cost, whether it's ridicule or trouble, we will bear that."

Viewers took to Twitter over the moment, praising Steve for his comments as they backed him all the way.

One viewer wrote: "Steve Chalke on GMB was simply incredible. Refusing to close the school or do a 3 day week, if their in debt and would go yo court. But nobody should have to make these decisions for a child education."

Another wrote: "Steve Chalke ...... heroic speech," as a third said: "Great information and passion Steve, straight talking, thank you for all you do man."

Steve said "schools are running on the edge and down to the bone" due to increasing costs (ITV)

A fourth viewer tweeted: "Steve was great, emotional hearing him speak about it..the figures schools,care homes &businesses are facing are terrifying. Important we engage with this whole thing and not blank it out though.Scariest part is that our only hope is the Govt getting it& caring enough to step up!"

The comments kept coming too with another reading: "Well done Steve Chalke. You're passionate about what you do and you are right."

Another said: "What a lovely man Steve Chalke is, just on GMB now talking about keeping his schools open despite soaring energy costs even if it means doing into debt because children might be in cold homes with nothing to eat. An inspiration this man is."

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.

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