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

Corporate Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer)

North Yorkshire Council
£141,233 to £164,272 plus relocation
Shape the financial future of England’s largest council. Lead with purpose. Deliver with impact Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Work Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £28,142 - £31,022
Durham County Council (DCC) and Tees Esk and Wear Valley Foundation Trust (TEWV) are integrated as part of a partnership agreement to deliver both hea Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Finance Manager

Durham County Council
£66,164 to £68,493 p.a. (Band 2)
Are you a forward-thinking finance professional with a passion for working in a high-quality finance team?    This is an exciting strategic opportunit Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Sports Activator

Durham County Council
£26,403 £28,598
We have exciting opportunities available to join our team on a casual as and when required basis. Location Spennymoor Leisure Centre . WHAT IS INVOLV Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Integrated Management Systems Officer

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152
An opportunity in Highways Services for a Integrated  Management Systems Officer       WHAT IS INVOLVED? You’ll be responsible for managing and improv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner