PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Schools: Asbestos (21 March 2018)

The Department takes the issue of asbestos in schools very seriously, and is committed to supporting schools, local authorities and academy trusts to fulfil their duty to manage asbestos safely.

The Department carried out a voluntary asbestos data collection of schools in 2016, and of the 5,592 schools that responded, 83.1% reported that asbestos was present.

The Department is following expert advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that, as long as asbestos containing materials are undamaged, and not in locations where they are vulnerable to damage, they should be managed in situ.

The blanket and accelerated removal of asbestos in schools is potentially more dangerous and greater risk to pupils and staff. Asbestos will be removed over time as refurbishment works take place, and as school buildings are replaced though programmes like Priority Schools Building Programme.

The Department is currently running the Asbestos Management Assurance Process (AMAP) and expects Responsible Bodies for State-Funded Schools and Academies to participate in the AMAP. The Department intends to develop a fuller understanding of how asbestos in managed in the education estate through the AMAP.