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

Senior/Principal Regeneration Officer

Fareham Borough Council
£45,465 - £55,379
Our town centre regeneration is moving from planning to delivery, and we're looking for someone who wants to help make regeneration happen. Fareham, Hampshire
Recuriter: Fareham Borough Council

Head of Service – Social Care

St Helena
£60k pa plus International Supplement
Enjoying unique lifestyle opportunities, St Helena Island is a self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (SH)
Recuriter: St Helena

Health and Social Care Trainer - North Essex

Essex County Council
£29468.0000 - £34668.0000 per annum
Health and Social Care Trainer - North EssexPermanent, Part Time£29,468 to £34,668 per annum (full time equivalent) Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Recruitment Training and Support Officer (Fostering)

Essex County Council
£26284.0000 - £33256.0000 per annum
Recruitment Training and Support Officer (Fostering)Permanent, Full Time£26,284 to £33,256 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Vocational Trainer - English

Essex County Council
Up to £34668.0000 per annum
Vocational Trainer - EnglishPermanent, Part Time£34,668 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner