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<p>During the autumn term, the department provided over 350,000 CO2 monitors to all
state-funded education settings, including early years, schools, and further education
providers, backed by £25 million in government funding. Feedback suggests that schools
are finding the monitors helpful to manage ventilation and, in the majority of education
providers, existing ventilation measures are sufficient.</p><p>Where an area of poor
ventilation has been identified that cannot be resolved through simple measures such
as opening doors and windows, schools are advised to explore what remedial works may
be required to improve ventilation.</p><p>The department does not hold data on the
number of classrooms that have windows that cannot be opened. Maintaining adequate
ventilation remains the responsibility of individual education providers. The law
says employers, including education and childcare providers, must make sure there
is an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace.
This has not changed during the COVID-19 outbreak. Health and Safety Executive provides
more information at: <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation/index.htm"
target="_blank">https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation/index.htm</a>.
Schools, colleges, and universities are expected to plan and prioritise any necessary
remedial works within existing budgets. For more substantial capital works, education
providers and those responsible for buildings have access to funding to improve the
condition of buildings through different routes depending on their size and type.</p><p>Where
it is not possible to maintain adequate ventilation, it may be appropriate for education
providers to consider the use of an air cleaning unit while the underlying ventilation
issue is addressed.</p><p>On 2 January, we announced that we are supplying up to a
total of 8,000 air cleaning units to providers. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary
of State for Education, is making a new commitment to fulfil all eligible applications
from education settings for air cleaning units, and will make up to an additional
1,000 units available to do so. Our decision to make air cleaning units available
for poorly ventilated spaces in education providers was informed by advice from the
Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and external consultation with specialists.
We have closely monitored the evidence and reviewed the scientific literature, including
evidence from SAGE and the Environmental Modelling Group on the application of air
cleaning units to manage the transmission of COVID-19. This evidence is available
here: <a title="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/939173/s0867_emg_potential_application_of_air_cleaning_devices_and_personal_decontamination_to_manage_transmission_of_covid-19.pdf"
href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/939173/S0867_EMG_Potential_application_of_air_cleaning_devices_and_personal_decontamination_to_manage_transmission_of_COVID-19.pdf"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/939173/S0867_EMG_Potential_application_of_air_cleaning_devices_and_personal_decontamination_to_manage_transmission_of_COVID-19.pdf</a>.When
used properly, air cleaning units can help reduce airborne contaminants in a poorly
ventilated space, including viruses like COVID-19. Air cleaning units are not a substitute
for ventilation and should never be used as a reason to reduce ventilation. They are
not necessary in spaces that are adequately ventilated. We will continue to develop
our policy and guidance on ventilation in line with the latest scientific advice and
in consultation with industry-wide experts.</p><p>Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak,
we have emphasised the importance of ventilation and provided guidance to schools,
colleges and universities on ventilation requirements. In addition to our existing
guidance on ventilation, we have provided education providers with guidance on how
to use the air cleaning units, as well as how to order a unit via the online marketplace.
This marketplace is available at: <a href="https://s107t01-webapp-v2-01.azurewebsites.net/list/air-cleaning"
target="_blank">https://s107t01-webapp-v2-01.azurewebsites.net/list/air-cleaning</a>.</p>
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