Crumbling concrete: Government must come clean on which schools in Oldham could be affected by future closures

Liberal Democrat councillors in Oldham have slammed the government after it emerged that more than 100 schools across the country face closure just days from the start of a new school year over building safety fears.  The Government has refused to reveal which schools are affected by failing concrete, which has been deemed unsafe and in need of urgent repair work.

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Teachers, parents and pupils are being left in the dark over whether school will be open when term starts.  The government has been too slow to provide details.”  

104 schools have been told to close buildings because they are at risk of collapse due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).  A partial list of schools affected has been made available to the press, but details have not been communicated to school staff or families.  Meanwhile, Schools Minister, Nick Gibb MP has also conceded that the Government still does not have a definitive list of all schools that might be affected as they “continue to do more surveying work”. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Which schools are affected?  How long will children be kept out of class?  What arrangements will be put in place during this time?  The government have known about these safety concerns for years and done nothing.  Why couldn’t this work have started during the summer break?”

“These questions deserve clear and detailed answers.  But instead, parents, teachers and pupils are being treated as an afterthought by the Conservative government who appear to have lost control.”

Councillor Sykes said, “The truth is that we should never have gotten to this point. The Government has known about this crumbling concrete for years, but time and again has denied our children the money needed to stop schools from collapsing completely.  I sincerely hope the government come forward with some money for repairs this time, instead of telling schools to pay for it themselves like they usually do.”