First, let us address the facts as we know them:
What is deteriorating concrete? This specific type of concrete, officially designated as reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), is composed of lime, water, and an aeration agent. It is poured into molds exposed to high pressure and heat, a process known as autoclaving, resulting in a lightweight, robust, and porous material. Commonly referred to as “deteriorating concrete,” it is characterised by being approximately “80 percent air” and has earned the nickname “Aero Bar,” reminiscent of a popular chocolate bar containing air pockets. RAAC has been identified as a risk to building stability when it surpasses its 30-year lifespan.
How many schools are at risk? The UK government has identified a total of 156 schools constructed with RAAC. Of these, 104 require immediate intervention, while 52 have already undergone repair work. UK Schools Minister Nick Gibb has indicated that these numbers may increase.
What is the interim plan? The crisis has arisen at the beginning of the UK’s school year, necessitating online or temporary facilities for many students. The Department for Education (DfE) has not yet released a list of the schools ordered to close. Gibb mentioned that the complete list would only be disclosed once stability is achieved. Many schools, as reported by media outlets, are partially closed as local councils work to establish temporary solutions. Initially, the government stated it would not cover the costs of temporary structures, but it retracted this statement after a strong reaction from teachers.
On Sunday, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt pledged to “spend what it takes” to ensure classroom safety. He also mentioned an exhaustive process to identify at-risk schools. However, there is no clear timeline for when the affected schools will reopen. In Scotland, 35 schools containing RAAC have been found, but the Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, stated they would remain open. Gilruth criticised the UK government for departing from the advice provided by the Institution of Structural Engineers.
What have teachers said? Mike Short, the head of education at the teacher’s union, Unison, characterized this situation as a scandal, accusing the DfE and the government of wasting crucial months concealing the crisis instead of addressing dangerous school buildings. Julie McCulloch, the policy director of the Association of School and College Leaders, also criticised the DfE, noting their awareness of RAAC’s dangers since 2018.
Is it limited to schools? More than 30 hospitals are believed to be at risk due to RAAC, according to experts. The Local Government Association stated that while municipal architects mainly employed RAAC in schools and offices, it has also been found in other structures, including shopping centers and homes. Matthew Byatt, the head of the Institution of Structural Engineers, asserted that high-rise buildings with flat roofs constructed between the late 1960s and the 1990s could contain RAAC.
Why is asbestos also a concern? In addition to deteriorating concrete, there are worries about the potential exposure to asbestos, a highly carcinogenic material that is now banned in the UK but was widely used in construction from the 1950s to the 1990s and still exists in at least 300,000 non-domestic buildings across the country. Asbestos is not harmful when undisturbed, but if it is exposed or broken into smaller particles, it can lead to cancers, particularly lung cancer, if inhaled. The discovery of asbestos in schools closed due to RAAC presence could impede repair work and result in months-long closures.
Now let us listen to an Education Secretary who, instead of resigning as a matter of principle and naming those responsible for this scandal decides, while going all sweary, that she is deserving of praise.
Education secretary Gillian Keegan is recorded on camera saying others ‘have been sat on their a***s’ on schools Raac crisis and shares frustration about not being thanked for doing ‘a f***ing good job’https://t.co/c02gI4dXiM pic.twitter.com/jWbYTVZl5D
— ITV News Politics (@ITVNewsPolitics) September 4, 2023
Why is the government now claiming incompetence and corruption as virtues?
Douglas James
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