Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted
Require DfE to demonstrate a full picture of asbestos and adequate management plans in all schools.
Conclusion
DfE has incomplete knowledge of the prevalence of asbestos across the school estate. In May 2022, DfE agreed with our recommendation that it should urgently chase the 7% of schools that had not responded to the asbestos management survey it launched in 2018. In July 2023, DfE explained that the proportion of schools on which it was unsighted had since fallen to just over 4%, although this still represents almost 1,000 schools. Work on DfE’s ongoing second Condition Data Collection programme (CDC2) will not specifically check for asbestos, but it will include a review of schools’ asbestos management plans and compliance with guidance requiring schools to have an onsite asbestos register. The unexpected presence of asbestos has complicated ongoing work to address other issues such as RAAC. The two can both be present in the same building. Data from the Health and Safety Executive suggest, that since 2011, around 11 teachers or ex-teachers have died from asbestos-related conditions each year. The condition of school buildings 7 Recommendation 5: As soon as possible, DfE should provide us with evidence that it has a full picture of asbestos across the school estate, having received survey returns from all schools and ensuring that every relevant school has an adequate asbestos management plan in place.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation, stating the ongoing Condition Data Collection 2 (CDC2) programme will collect full asbestos data and review management plans by December 2026. This programme has already reduced non-responders to 3.9% and aims for a full dataset by 2026.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2026 5.2 The department takes the safety of children and those who work with them incredibly seriously – which is why it expects all local authorities, governing bodies and academy trusts to have robust plans in place to manage asbestos in school buildings effectively, in line with their legal duties. 5.3 Asbestos management in schools and other buildings is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The Health and Safety Executive advises that, as long as asbestos-containing materials are in good condition, well protected, and unlikely to be damaged or disturbed, it is usually safer to manage them in place. 5.4 The department has published guidance on effective management of asbestos in schools. The department previously run an Asbestos Management Assurance Process (AMAP) - a survey launched in March 2018 to understand the steps schools and those responsible for their estate were taking to manage asbestos. The AMAP survey has now been incorporated into the Condition Data Collection 2 (CDC2) programme, which will collect data on every state funded school in England. CDC2 is in train and as of the end of January 2024, 631 (42.3%) of non-responders to AMAP had been visited, reducing the number of non-responders from 1,491 (6.7%) to 860 (3.9%). The full dataset will be available by 2026. 5.5 The department has, and continues to, share any concerning data on schools with HSE which is responsible for setting the policy and regulations for schools on asbestos management and compliance – and which undertakes its own investigations of schools, and issues warnings notices or stronger sanctions, where necessary. 5.6 The department also, in collaboration with HSE and Regional teams, continues to follow up with AMAP non-responders and any concerning practice through CDC2. CDC2 is expected to be completed in 2026 when a final set of asbestos data and conclusions will be available.