Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the safety of school buildings in Northumberland; and what recent steps she has taken to help ensure the safety of those buildings.
It is the responsibility of those running schools, such as academy trusts and local authorities, to ensure their schools are safe and well-maintained. The department has allocated over £15 billion since 2015 for keeping schools safe and operational, including £1.8 billion committed this financial year. This funding is informed by consistent data on the school estate. In addition, the School Rebuilding Programme will transform buildings at over 500 schools across England.
When the department is made aware of a significant issue with a building that cannot be managed locally, the department provides additional support on a case-by-case basis.
Departmental officials have regular discussions with relevant professional bodies and leading material specialists to ensure that they are aware of any emerging evidence regarding the safety of construction materials used in the education estate.