The UK government is taking decisive action to improve school safety with a historic investment aimed at removing dangerous concrete and upgrading facilities.
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UPDATE AT [TIME] – The UK government has unveiled a significant initiative aimed at enhancing safety in schools through the largest school improvement program in a generation. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the removal of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) from classrooms, impacting approximately 30,000 students.
This initiative is part of a broader £38 billion investment in education capital over the next five years, with an additional £20 billion allocated for rebuilding schools across England.
Immediate Actions Taken
According to the Department for Education, Raac has been completely removed from 52 schools, while 71 others are undergoing reconstruction as part of the School Rebuilding Programme.
The government reported that targeted grant funding has enabled over half of the affected educational institutions to eliminate the hazardous material or progress towards its removal.
“These numbers represent thousands of children who can now focus on learning instead of worrying about the roof above their heads,” a government spokesperson stated.
This initiative seeks to provide a safer and more dignified experience for both students and faculty.
Long-term Commitment to Education
Ms. Phillipson, who is also a candidate for the Labour deputy leadership, highlighted the necessity of high-quality learning environments. “High-quality classrooms show every child that their education matters — and that their future matters to this government,” she asserted. The plan aims not only to address immediate concerns but also to ensure lasting benefits for pupils, educators, and their communities.
“After years of neglect, we inherited a school estate in urgent need of repair. Now, with unprecedented long-term investment, we are breaking down barriers to opportunity and building schools where every child can thrive,” Ms. Phillipson added.
Investment in Healthcare Facilities
The government is also prioritizing healthcare safety, investing £440 million this year to eliminate Raac from seven hospitals, with plans for twelve additional hospitals to reach similar safety standards by March 2026. Minister for Elective Care Karin Smyth remarked, “Our nation’s hospitals have been starved of investment and left to crumble for more than a decade.”
Smyth continued, “Thanks to the record investment this government is providing, we are cleaning up the mess we inherited, ripping out potentially dangerous concrete and rebuilding our NHS.” This commitment to improving both educational and healthcare facilities underscores the government’s dedication to public safety and well-being.
