Second Report - The condition of school buildings
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 78
19 November 2023
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Second report from Session 2023-24 · published 8 Mar 2024
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
13
Conclusion
Acknowledged
DfE unable to report total number of temporary RAAC classrooms supplied to schools
Conclusion
We asked DfE about the temporary classrooms it was providing for schools unable to use some of their space because of RAAC. It told us that it had three central contracts in place to supply temporary classrooms, but in general …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is funding emergency capital works, including temporary buildings, and provides dedicated support to schools with confirmed RAAC to ensure face-to-face education. However, it does not provide the specific number of temporary classrooms supplied, which the committee noted DfE could not previously provide.
HM Treasury
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14
Conclusion
Acknowledged
DfE's central temporary classroom contracts proving ineffective for some responsible bodies
Conclusion
DfE explained that it hoped to use the central contracts to enable speedier delivery of temporary classrooms to all RAAC-affected schools who needed them, and to pay for them centrally—including for specialist equipment within the classroom where 17 September 2023 …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is funding emergency works, including temporary buildings, and has assigned caseworkers to support schools with bespoke plans. It highlights efforts to process requests quickly, ensure processes are not burdensome, and arrange urgent payments, implying improvements to the support system.
HM Treasury
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17
Conclusion
Acknowledged
DfE lacks specific figures on RAAC impact, hindering timely public transparency
Conclusion
We asked DfE some questions intended to shed light on the latest position with RAAC at the time of our evidence session on 11 September, such as the number of pupils who were unable to start the school year as …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the observation but commits only to writing to the Committee alongside the publication of the Treasury Minute, without specifying a strategy for regular public information on RAAC.
HM Treasury
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18
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Number of RAAC-affected educational settings continues to increase across the estate
Conclusion
On 19 September, the Secretary of State issued an updated statement on RAAC. It detailed that: DfE had received questionnaire responses in relation to 98.6% of schools with blocks built in the target era; every school that was awaiting a …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the observation but commits only to writing to the Committee alongside the publication of the Treasury Minute, without offering further specific updates or actions.
HM Treasury
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31
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Funding constraints prevent rebuilding non-hazardous schools, despite better long-term value for money
Conclusion
We asked DfE about longer-term risks to value for money. It described a set of schools that pose no safety risks and can be maintained to a reasonable condition. However, when considering the work needed to keep these schools in …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and, while citing existing guidance and support for estate management, states it is considering how to further clarify roles and support responsible bodies to manage estates effectively for the long-term, with a target implementation date of February 2025.
HM Treasury
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