Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Accepted
DfE prioritises immediate action and funding for urgent school building safety issues
Conclusion
DfE told us that its overarching principle is to act immediately if a building-related issue is putting pupils or teachers in danger but the school is unable to manage the issue itself. The issue might relate to asbestos, or more general structural problems.45 In May 2023, DfE also announced that, where RAAC is present in schools, it would provide funding to ensure that it does not pose an immediate risk.46
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's statement and clarifies that it already takes immediate action on serious building safety issues, with support for responsible bodies, and demonstrated this with its response to RAAC risks.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 2.2 All pupils must learn in safe buildings. The responsibility for keeping school buildings safe and compliant with relevant regulations lies with schools and their responsible bodies – local authorities, academy trusts, or voluntary aided school bodies. The department supports them by providing access to annual capital funding, rebuilding programmes and extensive guidance and support, including on specific risks. It has always been the case that where the department is alerted to a serious issue with a building that poses a risk to safety immediate action is taken with responsible bodies. Where serious issues cannot be managed independently by responsible bodies, the department provides additional support on a case-by-case basis. 2.3 The safety of pupils and staff is the department’s absolute priority, which is why it took immediate further action on RAAC when new evidence emerged over the summer of 2023. The department acted with the utmost caution in addressing the risk for the education estate, although the technical advice does not recommend removal in all cases where it is present. The department has established a comprehensive plan to mitigate and permanently resolve it.