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

STEPs Support Team Manager (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399 + 6% All Inclusive Allowance
We are passionate about our Place and we firmly believe we have one of the strongest propositions in the country. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

HEART Technical Business Support Officer x 2 posts (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 6, £25,981 - £26,815
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

SEN Learning Support Assistant

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 6 Scale Point
£17,988 - £19,478
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Corporate Director of Housing

Lambeth Council
Circa £180,000
We’re looking for a strategic housing leader with a strong record of improvement, partnership working and driving change at scale. Lambeth, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Lambeth Council

Customer Service Assistant (Weekend Cover)

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band B, SCP 3- 4 (£24,796 - £25,185) per annum, Pro Rata
We are looking to appoint committed customer focused person to the role of Customer Service Assistant Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner