Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16368 on Schools: Buildings, how many and what proportion of the schools with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete had it permanently removed by 3 April 2025.

Where the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been confirmed, the government is funding the removal of RAAC from schools and colleges in England. The department has committed to resolving this problem as quickly as possible, permanently removing RAAC either through grant funding or the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP). Permanently removing RAAC may involve refurbishment of existing buildings or rebuilding affected buildings. All schools and colleges with confirmed RAAC are providing full time face-to-face education for all pupils and have suitable mitigations in place.

For schools and colleges receiving grants, it is for responsible bodies to develop project plans that suit their individual circumstances, drawing on the department’s support as needed. The scope and cost of each project will vary depending on the extent of the issue and nature and design of the buildings. Grants are agreed with responsible bodies and we support them as they take this forward. The department is encouraging responsible bodies to plan their projects for completion as soon as realistically possible. Responsible bodies and settings might use time in school holidays for works to take place.

As of 1 April 2025, 39 schools where works are being delivered by responsible bodies via grant funding have informed us they have permanently removed RAAC.