Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
DfE policy for asbestos management in schools risks hidden dangers during RAAC works
Conclusion
DfE confirmed that its policy is not to remove all asbestos in the school estate, as this would be expensive and dangerous. However, we raised with DfE a case where a school thought it knew where it had asbestos, but much more asbestos was found when contractors demolished a block affected by RAAC, causing additional complications. DfE emphasised that it expects contractors to carry out a thorough asbestos survey before doing invasive work to deal with other structural problems.39 Asbestos and RAAC can be present in the same building.
Government Response Summary
The government reaffirms its policy for responsible bodies to manage asbestos safely in situ when possible, guided by HSE regulations and departmental guidance, and continues to gather comprehensive data on asbestos through the CDC2 programme, expected to complete 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.