Welsh Government to pay for school Raac repairs
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete is now assessed to be at risk of collapse.
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The Welsh Government will pay to repair schools with collapse-risk concrete, it has been announced.
£2.56 million has been made available to cover the cost of remedial works to the five affected schools in Wales, Ysgol David Hughes and Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi on Ynys Mon, Ysgol Maes Owen in Conwy, Ysgol Trefnant in Denbighshire and Eveswell Primary in Newport.
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac), which is a lightweight building material used from the 1950s up to the mid-1990s, is now assessed to be at risk of collapse.
The number of schools in Wales identified as having Raac is low compared to the 230 in England and 39 in Scotland.
Minister for Education and Welsh Language Jeremy Miles said the fact that so few cases of Welsh schools with Raac had been identified was “testament to the Welsh Government’s investment in schools over many years”.
“I want to make sure every learner can fulfil their potential, and their education is delivered in environments that are fit for purpose,” he added.
The council leader for Ynys Mon, which has two affected schools, welcomed the additional funding.
Councillor Llinos Medi said: “I would like to thank the Welsh Government for this much-needed funding and its proactive support as we responded to the Raac emergency.
“More remedial works are needed and it is important these are carried out as quickly as possible to ensure all areas within the school buildings are safe to use.”
Money to repair the 234 education settings in England at risk of collapse will come from the Department for Education’s existing capital budget, it is understood.
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