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

Assistant Director for Estate Strategy and Development  

Derbyshire County Council
£71,202 - £77,495 per annum
We are seeking an ambitious and strategic leader to join our senior management team as Assistant Director for Estate Strategy & Development. Matlock, Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£29432.0000 - £34519.0000 per annum
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£29,342 to £34,519 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

ESCA Development Assistant

Essex County Council
£25959.0000 - £27613.0000 per annum
ESCA Development AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,959 to £27,613 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Closed Landfill Site Operative

Essex County Council
£25959.00 - £28621.00 per annum
Closed Landfill Site OperativeFixed Term, Full Time£25,959 up to £28,621 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Apprentice Admin Assistant

Durham County Council
£8 per hour
Apprentice Admin Assistant Apprentice £8 per hour. Temporary contract for approx. 18 months Full Time, Term Time Only, Required to start September 202 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner