Pledge to remove Raac from schools by 2029

Seventy schools in Essex had to close or at least shut part of their buildings due to Raac

The government has pledged to remove a concrete that is deemed unsafe from all affected schools in England "by the end of this Parliament" in 2029.

Education Minister Josh McAllister said every school containing Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) would have it removed "entirely" or would at least be in the process of a rebuild.

There were 237 schools where this crumbling concrete was found, and in Essex - the worst affected county - 70 schools had to close at least part of their site.

Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, Mark Francois, told BBC Essex it was a "big ask".

"But I think they can get the bulk of [the schools] done," said Francois, who had five schools in his constituency affected.

Some schools with Raac in their buildings are still teaching in temporary classrooms

Raac was a material used as a cheaper alternative to standard concrete post World War Two.

McAllister appeared before the Education Select Committee on Tuesday, and the committee was told the material was widely used in counties like Essex in the construction of new towns like Harlow.

In August 2023, school buildings across England containing Raac were forced to close after a beam collapsed at one site.

The last Conservative government pledged to remove Raac from all affected schools and rebuild more than 100, but did not commit to a timeframe.

Sixty-two schools and colleges have had Raac removed entirely, including 10 in Essex.

Prof Chris Goodier from Loughborough University said each school needed "to be inspected as individual structures to ensure that they are structurally safe and fit for purpose".

"Years of underinvestment in maintenance and remediation means that even more public money now needs to be spent in order to stop them deteriorating at an even faster rate," he added.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said Raac would be removed from schools within this Parliament

The Liberal Democrats said it was "a betrayal" that pupils "may have to wait four years for a safe classroom" and accused the government of neglect.

Their schools spokesperson Caroline Voaden said: "We don't have time for the government to rehash these same failed targets that at best fixes one school a week.

"We need an emergency plan from the government to make sure Raac is removed far more quickly."

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the news, but said: "There needs to be a long-term strategy, backed by sufficient capital funding, that ensures buildings receive timely maintenance and development and are not simply left to deteriorate."

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "After years of neglect we are giving every child a safe and high-quality classroom where they can focus on learning - by setting clear timelines for the permanent removal of Raac from schools and colleges.

"It's what parents expect, it's what children deserve".