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
6 results
10
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Consider supporting local authorities to ensure high-quality places when reducing local school provision.
Conclusion
It is unclear whether decisions concerned with addressing the condition of the estate are coordinated with those relating to the need for school places. Historically, there have been instances of school closures just before another demographic wave of children that …
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Government Response Summary
The government response addresses unrelated conclusions and recommendations from the Public Accounts Committee regarding the Health Transformation Programme and disability benefits, failing to address the recommendation concerning school places and estate management by the DfE.
HM Treasury
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1
Conclusion
Not Addressed
DfE significantly changed safety guidance for RAAC-affected schools in August 2023.
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we first took evidence from the Department for Education (DfE) about the condition of school buildings in England in July 2023.1 On 31 August 2023, DfE significantly changed …
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Government Response Summary
The government response reiterates the committee's introductory summary about taking evidence from the DfE regarding school building conditions and RAAC guidance changes, serving as a preamble to its full response.
HM Treasury
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24
Conclusion
Teacher deaths from asbestos-related mesothelioma are rising, linked to historic exposure levels
Conclusion
We asked about the information DfE holds on the number of teaching staff who have died from asbestos-related conditions. DfE explained that the Health and Safety Executive reviews death certificates to produce data on the last known profession of people …
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HM Treasury
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27
Conclusion
Nearly 6,000 temporary and mobile blocks included in the school estate building count
Conclusion
We asked DfE whether the 64,000 buildings on the school estate include temporary buildings, Portakabins and similar blocks. It replied that the first Condition Data Collection programme (CDC1), from which the total number of buildings was derived, did include such …
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HM Treasury
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28
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Significant number of school building components in unsatisfactory condition (grades C and D)
Conclusion
DfE told us that its CDC1 programme involved giving a ‘grade’ to every building component within each school. There were four available grades, from A to D, with grades C and D denoting a less than satisfactory condition. DfE explained …
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Government Response Summary
The government response provides statistics on the school estate's condition and states that CDC2 is underway to provide updated data, but does not address the committee's concerns about prioritisation decisions or the risk of considering only known issues.
HM Treasury
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41
Conclusion
Not Addressed
DfE regional directors currently play limited role in local school closure decisions.
Conclusion
For maintained schools, the lead decision-maker about educational provision and the upkeep of buildings is the local authority, which retains responsibility for sufficiency of school places. DfE told us that its regional directors do not typically play a strong role …
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Government Response Summary
The government reiterates that local authorities have the statutory duty for school places and manage demand, with recent changes to Dedicated Schools Grant providing flexibility for falling rolls, but the response does not address DfE regional directors' roles or the exploration of alternative uses for school space.
HM Treasury
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