Chancellor Jeremy Hunt assures parents that schools affected by dangerous building material will be swiftly repaired
Parents are being reassured that the issue of dangerous building materials in schools will be resolved "extremely quickly", according to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. The government has pledged to "spend what it takes" to fix the problem of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in schools across the country. This comes as children are set to return to school, but the start of term has been thrown into chaos due to the discovery of dangerous building materials in 156 schools throughout England.
Disruption to Education
As a result of the dangerous building materials, children may face disruption to their education. This could include returning to remote learning at home, being moved to other schools, or even being taught in marquees in playgrounds while the crisis is addressed.
No Long-Term Disruption
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt denied the possibility of long-lasting disruption to schools, stating that the problem is currently affecting approximately 100 schools, but the majority of those are still able to operate normally. Although he did not provide a specific deadline for resolving the issue, Hunt emphasized the speed at which the government has responded, implementing countermeasures in most of the remaining schools.
Safety Concerns
The government has acknowledged that the presence of Raac in schools may pose a risk to safety. While Hunt could not guarantee that hospitals are currently free from this dangerous material, he assured the public that the government will take necessary action based on any information suggesting a risk to patient safety. He also highlighted that the government received new safety advice in the summer, which indicated that previously deemed safe buildings may not meet safety standards.
School Closure Decision
The Education Secretary, in an exclusive opinion piece for HOAR on Sunday, expressed regret over the disruption caused by closing schools but emphasized that it was a necessary decision. She assured families that the closure of classrooms does not signal a return to school lockdowns and that the safety of students and school staff is the top priority.
Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Experts have raised concerns that the presence of Raac also increases the risk of exposure to asbestos, a material responsible for 5,000 deaths annually in the UK. The president of the Institution of Structural Engineers, Matt Byatt, warns that both Raac and asbestos pose serious risks to life and should be treated accordingly.
It is worth noting that Raac and asbestos were commonly used in buildings during the postwar period, which means they are often found together, according to HOARday Times.
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