At a meeting with Lord Hill, schools minister, today (14 Oct) UNISON, the UK’s leading public sector trade union, reiterated its call for urgent action on dangerous asbestos in schools.
Estimates vary, but more than 14,000 schools in the UK are thought to contain asbestos*. Over time, and without proper management, the safety of asbestos declines, and dangerous levels have been recorded during daily events, such as when children slam classroom doors.
The withdrawal of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) funds has condemned many teachers, children and support staff to learn and work in buildings riddled with asbestos for even longer.
UNISON is also lending its support to Waltham Forest Council, who had BSF funding for four schools containing asbestos cancelled, and is seeking judicial review to challenge the decision.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, said:
“UNISON welcomes Lord Hill