Town hall chiefs have been urged to assess their social housing stock quickly due to concerns that some buildings may have dangerous concrete. The Institute of Structural Engineers has sent a letter to local authorities, warning them that Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) may be present in council homes built between the 1950s and 1980s. Buildings with flat roofs and panel structures are said to be most at risk.
Concerns over killer concrete
The Institute of Structural Engineers has written to town halls, urging them to assess council homes for potential killer concrete. According to chief executive Fiona MacGregor, while RAAC is not believed to be widespread in social housing, it may be present in a small number of buildings. She emphasized the need for landlords to prioritize tenant safety and to seek suitable advice and develop mitigation and remediation plans where necessary.
Impact on schools
Thousands of children are facing delays to the start of term or remote learning due to the presence of RAAC in school buildings. While most schools with RAAC have managed to continue face-to-face teaching, 19 schools have reported a delayed start of term, 20 have implemented home-learning, and four are providing fully remote education. Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan have promised to do everything possible to support teachers, parents, and expedite the return to normal schooling.
Wider concerns
There are growing concerns that RAAC may be present in hospitals, court houses, and social homes too. Ongoing investigations by surveyors aim to determine the extent of the issue. During Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer blamed the situation on years of compromised construction practices, while PM Boris Johnson criticized him for not previously addressing the issue.
