School safety at risk

Trade unions and safety campaign groups say the government’s cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme will increase the risk of children, teachers and support staff being exposed to asbestos.

The Asbestos in schools campaign says that many if not most of the schools that were going to be refurbished under the initiative contain asbestos, with some containing large amounts.

The Northern TUC Asbestos Campaign Group has called for continued investment in school buildings to prevent asbestos exposure. Regional secretary of the Northern TUC Kevin Rowen said: “Teachers, governing bodies, pupils and parents have been waiting desperately for new building work to take place to allow them to enjoy working and learning in a decent, safe and healthy environment. Now they continue to face risks of serious and potentially fatal hazards due to the lack of investment, maintenance and improvement of their schools.”

And teaching union NASUWT national executive member Mick Lyons said: “Asbestos in schools is a ticking time-bomb. Schools are meant to be places of security and education, not fear of ill-health and bringing the legacy of grave mistakes made pre-1970s into the 21st century.”