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

Domestic - WMF2876e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£24,413 pro-rata
The role of a Domestic is more than just a job, it makes a huge difference to the wellbeing of our residents Ulverston, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Principle Planning Officer - WMF2863e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£47,181 - £48,226
Wouldyou like to live and work in one of the most beautiful parts of the country? Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Streetworks Compliance Officer - WMF2877e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£36,363 - £37,280
The role involves providing specialist technical advice, guidance, and support to colleagues across the highways service Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Childrens Social Worker - WMF2879e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£42,839 - £44,075
Come and start your social work career at an Ofsted rated ‘good’ Children and Families Service. Penrith, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Social Worker - Children in Care, Mid Essex

Essex County Council
£36124.0000 - £51834.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Children in Care, Mid EssexPermanent, Full Time£36,124 to £51,834 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner