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.

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Compliance and Monitoring Officer - Braintree District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £20.0000 per hour
Compliance and Monitoring Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree, Essex Full-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 6 Months Contract £20.00 PAYE / England, Essex, Braintree
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
Up to £25959.0000 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Part Time£25,959 per annum (full time equivalent) Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Personal Advisor

Essex County Council
£33049.0000 - £37698.0000 per annum
Personal AdvisorFixed Term, Full Time£33,049 to £37,698 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Community Safety Service Manager

Bristol City Council
£72,878 - £80,741
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced community safety expert to join our senior leadership team.  Bristol
Recuriter: Bristol City Council

Painter

Durham County Council
£36,040 p.a. (Made up of £24,027 salary plus £12,013 p.a Interim Operational Allowance)
Durham County Council have an exciting opportunity for the role of a permanent Painter working within Corporate Property and Land, Strategic Facilitie Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner