A YORK MP has urged the Government to support a scheme to help schools run on solar power.

Hugh Bayley, MP for York Central, spoke at the House of Commons on Monday and urged Schools Minister David Laws to support Friends of the Earth’s Run On Sun campaign.

Mr Laws said a scheme was in place for schools to apply for interest-free loans to introduce energy efficiency measures, but Mr Bayley said he was disappointed the scheme did not include the installation of solar panels which he said could save up to £8,000 a year.

Mr Bayley said: “The Run on Sun campaign is a brilliant idea because enabling schools to borrow in order to install solar panels will help them to reduce their carbon emissions and lower their energy bills.

“It will also educate schoolchildren on the importance of taking action to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“I want the Government to support this campaign which is why I raised it yesterday in the House of Commons. I am very disappointed that the Schools Minister failed to show his support for solar panels in schools. I have written to request a meeting with him and a representative from Friends of the Earth and will continue to press the Government on the clear case for helping schools to run on sun.”