Mark Whitehead 23 May 2023

Union calls for information on state of school buildings

Union calls for information on state of school buildings  image
Image: Tom Gowanlock / Shutterstock.com.

Local government union Unison has backed a Labour demand that information on the state of school buildings must be published.

The union’s head of education Mike Short says the potentially dangerous state of some school buildings is a matter of ‘urgent public interest’.

Labour has attacked a Government decision not to publish the Buildings Conditions Survey despite a claim by the Department for Education in December that some schools were in danger of collapsing.

Approached by a national newspaper last week to ask when it now intended to publish the data, the DfE gave no new date and would not explain why its position had changed.

Labour says parents will be ‘outraged at the Government’s continued refusal to tell them the location and condition of buildings which pose a risk to their children’s lives.’

Mr Short said: ‘The potentially dangerous state of some school buildings is a matter of urgent public interest.

‘Parents, carers and staff should be told if any school buildings are on the brink of collapse.

‘This is a disaster waiting to happen. By concealing the truth, ministers are failing in their duty of care to protect thousands of pupils and staff by exposing them to such threats.’

The Department for Education yesterday announced that school buildings across the country are set to receive a share of over £450m of funding to help improve their condition.

Sign up here to recieve our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Housekeeper/Domestic Assistant/Cleaner -Longlands

West Northamptonshire Council
12.90ph
Longlands Care home provides exceptional levels of support in nursing, residential and Dementia care. It is situated in Daventry, and it offers a wonderful living environment in which our residents can enjoy an enhanced quality of life. We have te Daventry
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Maintenance Operative

North Yorkshire Council
£29,064 - £38,220 pro rata per annum
Are you a Maintenance Operative looking to further develop your skills and experience within a construction/repairs environment? Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Painter and Decorator

North Yorkshire Council
£29,064 - £34,434 per annum
Are you someone who takes pride in making spaces feel welcoming, safe, and cared for? Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Joiner

North Yorkshire Council
£29,064 to £38,220 per annum
Are you a skilled Joiner seeking an opportunity to enhance your expertise? Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Development Management - Principal Engineer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£45,091- £47,181
At Kirklees, we are seeking to appoint a motivated, enthusiastic and organised Principal Highways Engineer Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Linkedin Banner