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

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriageFixed Term, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Applications Developer

Essex County Council
Up to £500.0000 per day
Senior Applications Developer Contract
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major and Strategic Development) - WMF2479e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£45,091 - £46,142
This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Thriving Places Directorate within the Sustainable Transport Team. Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Residential Night Support Worker - WMF2480e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£34,434 - £35,412 pro rata
We’re looking for Waking Night Support Workers to join our dedicated team at 23 Hart Street. Ulverston, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Commissioning Officer - WMF2482e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£38,220 - £39,152
Have you ever considered working in Commissioning? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner