Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Deferred
Future funding for RAAC remediation beyond 2024-25 remains uncertain despite 2030 eradication goal.
Conclusion
NHS England also provided us with an update on its progress in dealing with known RAAC buildings. At the time we took evidence in September, it told us that there were projects to remove RAAC from the then 24 sites where it had a full understanding of the issues. It was aiming to eradicate RAAC in most places by 2030.53 We asked whether there would be enough money to continue and complete remediation after 2024–25, when current funding runs out. DHSC told us that it had no reason to think there would not be enough funding but that this would have to be considered as part of the next spending review.54
Government Response Summary
The government, despite stating 'recommendation implemented', confirms that funding needs for RAAC mitigation and eradication beyond 2024-25 will inform bids at subsequent Spending Reviews, thus deferring a definitive commitment. It also commits to writing to the Committee with an assessment of RAAC in other health sectors and the name of the responsible NHSE official.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.2 The NHS has been at the forefront of the public sector response to RAAC and has been surveying sites since 2019. The department will continue to work with NHS Trusts to expedite surveys where possible RAAC is identified. While publishing surveys in full will not be possible due to the commercially sensitive information contained within, the government commits to continuing to publish and update information on confirmed RAAC within the NHS on Gov.uk. 3.3 The department will continue to keep the commitment to eradicate RAAC from the NHS estate by 2035 under review. Significant RAAC eradication will occur before 2035, including the work to rebuild the seven hospitals most affected by RAAC as part of the NHP. The department supports construction on the replacements for the seven entirely RAAC hospitals as a priority, and at a minimum, we aim to begin early works to prepare sites by the end of 2025. The existing hospitals will remain open and safe due to ongoing monitoring and mitigation of existing RAAC, in line with current evidence and recommendations from the Institution of Structural Engineers. 3.4 The department regularly assesses the financial implications of increased RAAC identification. Work is on-going with Trusts where RAAC has been recently identified to assess the financial and clinical implications of eradicating RAAC from these sites. The funding needs for RAAC mitigation and eradication beyond 2024-25 will inform the department’s bids at subsequent Spending Reviews and future budgets. 3.5 The department will write to the Committee with an assessment of the scale of RAAC in other parts of the health and social care system, noting there is no obligation for private owners to report the presence of RAAC to the department. The letter will include the name of the senior NHSE official responsible for its plan on RAAC.