Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
13
Conclusion
Second Report - The condition of school…
Acknowledged
We asked DfE about the temporary classrooms it was providing for schools unable to use some of their space because of RAAC. It told us that it had three central contracts in place to supply temporary classrooms, but in general they would initially be provided to schools where the presence …
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We asked DfE about the temporary classrooms it was providing for schools unable to use some of their space because of RAAC. It told us that it had three central contracts in place to supply temporary classrooms, but in general they would initially be provided to schools where the presence and critical condition of RAAC had been confirmed before the change in risk approach. DfE could not provide us with the number of temporary classrooms that had been supplied.23
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Government response AI summary
The government states it is funding emergency capital works, including temporary buildings, and provides dedicated support to schools with confirmed RAAC to ensure face-to-face education. However, it does not provide the specific number of temporary classrooms supplied, which the committee noted DfE could not previously …
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HM Treasury
14
Conclusion
Second Report - The condition of school…
Acknowledged
DfE explained that it hoped to use the central contracts to enable speedier delivery of temporary classrooms to all RAAC-affected schools who needed them, and to pay for them centrally—including for specialist equipment within the classroom where 17 September 2023 session, Qq 117, 140–141 18 September 2023 session, Qq 121, …
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DfE explained that it hoped to use the central contracts to enable speedier delivery of temporary classrooms to all RAAC-affected schools who needed them, and to pay for them centrally—including for specialist equipment within the classroom where 17 September 2023 session, Qq 117, 140–141 18 September 2023 session, Qq 121, 139 19 September 2023 session, Qq 127–133 20 Department for Education, Guidance for Responsible Bodies and education settings with confirmed RAAC in their buildings, September 2023, page 3 21 Public Accounts Committee, oral evidence, New Hospital Programme, HC 1754, 7 September 2023, Qq 4, 8, 19–20 22 September 2023 session, Q 195 23 September 2023 session, Qq 113–114 The condition of school buildings 13 appropriate—out of its capital funding allocations. However, DfE conceded that in some cases responsible bodies had decided to procure temporary classrooms themselves because they felt the DfE route was not delivering what they needed.24
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Government response AI summary
The government states it is funding emergency works, including temporary buildings, and has assigned caseworkers to support schools with bespoke plans. It highlights efforts to process requests quickly, ensure processes are not burdensome, and arrange urgent payments, implying improvements to the support system.
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HM Treasury
17
Conclusion
Second Report - The condition of school…
Acknowledged
We asked DfE some questions intended to shed light on the latest position with RAAC at the time of our evidence session on 11 September, such as the number of pupils who were unable to start the school year as normal, and the number of specialist surveys that were outstanding. …
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We asked DfE some questions intended to shed light on the latest position with RAAC at the time of our evidence session on 11 September, such as the number of pupils who were unable to start the school year as normal, and the number of specialist surveys that were outstanding. In each case, DfE responded that it could not provide specific figures.30 DfE explained that it intended to set out a strategy for publishing the future list of schools affected by RAAC, and the information that sits alongside that, to a ‘regular rhythm’ as it does with other important management information.31
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the observation but commits only to writing to the Committee alongside the publication of the Treasury Minute, without specifying a strategy for regular public information on RAAC.
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HM Treasury
18
Conclusion
Second Report - The condition of school…
Acknowledged
On 19 September, the Secretary of State issued an updated statement on RAAC. It detailed that: DfE had received questionnaire responses in relation to 98.6% of schools with blocks built in the target era; every school that was awaiting a specialist survey when the previous statement was made on 4 …
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On 19 September, the Secretary of State issued an updated statement on RAAC. It detailed that: DfE had received questionnaire responses in relation to 98.6% of schools with blocks built in the target era; every school that was awaiting a specialist survey when the previous statement was made on 4 September had been visited or would be visited in the week commencing 17 September; and RAAC had been confirmed in 174 educational settings (up from 147 on 4 September), of which 148 were providing face-to-face education 24 September 2023 session, Qq 114, 116, 155 25 September 2023 session, Q 157 26 September 2023 session, Q 176 27 September 2023 session, Qq 158, 202 28 September 2023 session, Qq 153, 156, 198 29 September 2023 session, Qq 200–202 30 September 2023 session, Qq 111–112, 126 31 September 2023 session, Qq 130, 206 14 The condition of school buildings for all pupils.32 A further update on 19 October disclosed that RAAC had been confirmed in 214 educational settings, of which 202 were providing face-to-face education for all pupils.33
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the observation but commits only to writing to the Committee alongside the publication of the Treasury Minute, without offering further specific updates or actions.
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HM Treasury
31
Conclusion
Second Report - The condition of school…
Acknowledged
We asked DfE about longer-term risks to value for money. It described a set of schools that pose no safety risks and can be maintained to a reasonable condition. However, when considering the work needed to keep these schools in good condition over a five- to ten- year timeframe, DfE …
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We asked DfE about longer-term risks to value for money. It described a set of schools that pose no safety risks and can be maintained to a reasonable condition. However, when considering the work needed to keep these schools in good condition over a five- to ten- year timeframe, DfE said that rebuilding would clearly present better value. DfE explained that funding constraints mean such schools are unlikely to be prioritised for rebuilding.49
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and, while citing existing guidance and support for estate management, states it is considering how to further clarify roles and support responsible bodies to manage estates effectively for the long-term, with a target implementation date of February 2025.
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HM Treasury