MEZIESBLOG

The education systems in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales are devolved, meaning they are responsible for carrying out checks on their schools.

Statements about the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland have been issued, and the risks are being urgently assessed.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said they have been “working with partner bodies to understand the scope and nature” of the issue.

They have received information “for the majority of the school estate and expect to have full returns from all local authorities this week”.

Ministers are putting “appropriate mitigation plans” in place “to ensure the safety of pupils and staff”, with the work being made “a priority”.

But the spokesperson did not say how many schools so far have been found to have the dangerous concrete.

In Northern Ireland, the devolved government is still not back up and running, so the UK Department for Education directed the Education Authority to carry out structural surveys of schools.

A UK Department for Education spokesperson added: “This work is being taken forward as a matter of urgency to ensure that any necessary mitigations are put in place promptly.

“Schools will be contacted by the Education Authority as work progresses.”

The Welsh Government has also been contacted for information about the presence of RAAC concrete in schools, and we will bring you that statement as soon as we have it.