one classroom, sports hall that has raac. if that's the . hall that has raac.ase then the school can - hall that has raac. if that's the l case then the school can continue hall that has raac. if that's the - case then the school can continue to operate _ case then the school can continue to operate it's— case then the school can continue to operate it'sjust_ case then the school can continue to operate. it's just the _ case then the school can continue to operate. it'sjust the buildings - operate. it'sjust the buildings that would _ operate. it'sjust the buildings that would be _ operate. it'sjust the buildings that would be taken _ operate. it'sjust the buildings that would be taken out - operate. it'sjust the buildings that would be taken out of- that would be taken out of operation _ that would be taken out of operation. the _ that would be taken out ofi operation. the government that would be taken out of- operation. the government think that would be taken out of— operation. the government think most schools— operation. the government think most schools w

where raac has been _ there is no raac. where raac has been identified, _ there is no raac.ay _ been identified, we then, our policy until yesterday was— been identified, we then, our policy until yesterday was to _ been identified, we then, our policy until yesterday was to assess - until yesterday was to assess whether _ until yesterday was to assess whether that _ until yesterday was to assess whether that raac _ until yesterday was to assess whether that raac is - until yesterday was to assess whether that raac is in- until yesterday was to assess whether that raac is in a - until yesterday was to assess i whether that raac is in a critical condition. — whether that raac is in a critical condition. in— whether that raac is in a critical condition, in which _ whether that raac is in a critical condition, in which case - whether that raac is in a critical condition, in which case the - condition, in which case the buildings _ condition, in which case the buildings are— condition, in which case the buildings are taken - condition, in which case the buildings are taken out-

planks but we also had raac_ present raac is planks but we also had raac as walls.e on the roof but they might be in the wall. it's difficult at the moment— in the wall. it's difficult at the moment to explain why certain places habit others don't. dr moment to explain why certain places habit others don't.— habit others don't. dr roberts, to net clari habit others don't. dr roberts, to get clarity on _ habit others don't. dr roberts, to get clarity on this _ habit others don't. dr roberts, to get clarity on this point, - habit others don't. dr roberts, to get clarity on this point, what - get clarity on this point, what about factories or office buildings? are other workplaces also at risk? inaudible we are going to ask our other contributors while we try and get dr roberts back. damini, what can you tell us about the types of buildings that might be at risk? i know that schools are being talked about. other public sector buildings will have been affected, courts, hospitals, care homes, factories a5 hospitals, care homes, factories as well and offices could be affe

its roof is made with raac.gent action was only taken if the concrete was in a critical condition. what we learnt over the summer was that there are a number of cases in schools, but also in non—school buildings and in england and outside england where raac that we previously thought was safe or low risk actually has failed. so we took swift action to change the guidance yesterday. new techniques have produced better schools more quickly and more - cheaply than ever before... in the 1960s, cheap building materials delivered new schools. but now, some are dealing with a crumbling legacy. spending on school buildings in england has fallen dramatically. between 2010 and 2022, it went down by 50%, taking rising costs into account. around £4 billion to £8 billion a year is thought to be needed to keep schools in a good condition. but since 2016, around 2.3 billion has been spent, on average, each year. in some schools alerted last term, work is already under way. now 100 more are managing similar risks. branwen more

most raac will be _ the raac is and assess it. most raac will be ok_ the raac is and assess it. time. a small proportion will need to be strengthened and this can be fairly straightforward by strengthening as i straightforward by strengthening as i have _ straightforward by strengthening as i have explained, this crucial part of the _ i have explained, this crucial part of the structure, you can add localised _ of the structure, you can add localised strengthening and in some cases— localised strengthening and in some cases that _ localised strengthening and in some cases that will be enough. in other cases— cases that will be enough. in other cases you — cases that will be enough. in other cases you may need to strengthen the whole _ cases you may need to strengthen the whole roof— cases you may need to strengthen the whole roof underneath with additional steel support. in some cases— additional steel support. in some cases it _ additional steel support. in some cases it may be more economic to take the _ cases it may be more economic to take the roof off and add a new one. it

if raac is in a buildini. , .. ., , building. 0k.ng. 0k. it is actually quite difficult. lots of _ building. 0k. it is actually quite difficult. lots of the _ building. 0k. it is actually quite difficult. lots of the reports - difficult. lots of the reports describing it as failed ceilings but in fact in almost all of these buildings, the raac panels which are normally at roof level are not visible from inside the building. there is usually a false ceiling hiding them from view. so, in order to identify them in the absence of adequate drawings and other documents which is the case for a lot of buildings dating from that period, you have to first remove the ceilings which sometimes are left out panels but sometimes there is plaster you might have to take out. once you've done that, you can visually look at the underside of the roof structure and it will be fairly evident at that stage whether or not raac panels have been used. they are quite distinctive, they are about 600 millimetres wide and they have a distinctive shape and a quali

injuly my officials issued raac security... discussed raac since december 2022.s my officials joined with key representatives of the private sector. this has been established as a more formal foreman to share good practice and recent discuss professional advice, buildings and the work that is ongoing which is already under way. more recently my officials had been invited tojoin the across uk government working group on raac. in various other meetings we have once again been assured that the guidance and risk based approach remains appropriate for the management of raac in schools and other buildings. the most recent discussion with the interchange... when my officials met with the director who confirmed that raac guidance had not changed and remains a good valid practice in this area and we have issued it to local authorities. the institutional structure of engineers remains of the view that... the issue of raac has been in discussion for some time and has action has been taken. the uk cup department for education change their approach to raac on the sist change

raac is reinforced — raac to begin with? raac is reinforced autoclaved - raac to begin with?rced autoclaved aerated concrete which means it changes with how it treats air or gas especially with carbon dioxide. find how it treats air or gas especially with carbon dioxide.— how it treats air or gas especially with carbon dioxide. and why is it a safety risk? — with carbon dioxide. and why is it a safety risk? what _ with carbon dioxide. and why is it a safety risk? what is _ with carbon dioxide. and why is it a safety risk? what is the _ with carbon dioxide. and why is it a safety risk? what is the cause - with carbon dioxide. and why is it a safety risk? what is the cause for. safety risk? what is the cause for concern with raac? the safety risk? what is the cause for concern with mac?— safety risk? what is the cause for concern with raac? the key thing is the material — concern with raac? the key thing is the material properties, _ the material properties, essentially. the one thing is the compressive strength in comparison to normal traditional reinforced concrete. it is a lo

to respond to the risk of raac. before i go into the - of raac.han the safety of children and staff. it has always been the case that where we are made aware of a building that poses an immediate risk, we have taken immediate action. parents and children have been looking forward to starting the u—turn, and i understand the timing of this change in guidance toward schools and colleges will of course concern and disruption. it faced with recent cases, including one that in most right at the end of the school holidays, i believe 100% this is the right thing to do, and that is why we have taken such rapid steps to support our schools and colleges. there are over 22,000 schools and colleges in england, and the vast majority of them are unaffected by raac. localauthorities majority of them are unaffected by raac. local authorities and academy trusts are responsible for these buildings, but we have been supporting schools and colleges to insure risks resulting from raac are mitigated. to date, 52 schools and colleges have these mitigations in place. the

looking at raac more generally, five days after— looking at raac more generally, five days after theth raac will stop them and _ cambridgeshire with raac will stop them and showing us around was unable _ them and showing us around was unable to— them and showing us around was unable to go on the roof to check it. unable to go on the roof to check it he _ unable to go on the roof to check it he was— unable to go on the roof to check it he was in— unable to go on the roof to check it. he was in charge of the raac programme, he was 17 stone and too heavy— programme, he was 17 stone and too heavy for— programme, he was 17 stone and too heavy for the roof. in that hospital they can't — heavy for the roof. in that hospital they can't have overweight patients having _ they can't have overweight patients having surgery on the first floor for example because the bed and equipment and staff or be too heavy. at the _ equipment and staff or be too heavy. at the weekend the matron is on speed _ at the weekend the matron is on speed dial— at the weekend the matron is on speed dial with the man in

none of our raac is rated critical. it was part - raac is rated critical.raac is rated critical. it was part of our regular buildings management programme. we have bits of raac rated _ programme. we have bits of raac rated high — programme. we have bits of raac rated high risk or medium risk. the policy— rated high risk or medium risk. the policy and — rated high risk or medium risk. the policy and guidance at the time we have been— policy and guidance at the time we have been following was that we don't _ have been following was that we don't have to do anything immediately to attend to that. however, that changed, that guidance, last week. no longer is it 'ust guidance, last week. no longer is it just critical— guidance, last week. no longer is it just critical raac that needs immediate attention, it is anywhere with pot— immediate attention, it is anywhere with pot present which means we have to close _ with pot present which means we have to close. ~ ., ., i. , ., ., with pot present which means we have to close. ~ ., ., , ., ., ., to close. what do you

got a raac in it.e got a raac in it. to be fair. grainne. _ schools have got a raac in it. to be fair, grainne, they _ schools have got a raac in it. to be fair, grainne, they don't _ schools have got a raac in it. to be fair, grainne, they don't want i fair, grainne, they don't want people to panic unnecessarily, so there are two sides to this. there are very considered people in the civil service saying, hang on, we can't be panic among —— pannek bungalows. tote can't be panic among -- pannek bungalows-— can't be panic among -- pannek bunralows. ~ ., ~ ., ., ., , bungalows. we need to know how many schools are affected, _ bungalows. we need to know how many schools are affected, school— bungalows. we need to know how many schools are affected, school has - bungalows. we need to know how many schools are affected, school has not i schools are affected, school has not been started — schools are affected, school has not been started properly _ schools are affected, school has not been started properly y

that report is what identify that we had raac _ report is what identify that we had raac.ver, ithink the issue is that the _ raac. however, ithink the issue is that the policy changed. 0ur raac was deemed high, medium and low, a combination— was deemed high, medium and low, a combination of those three. there was a _ combination of those three. there was a higher rating, critical, we didn't— was a higher rating, critical, we didn't have _ was a higher rating, critical, we didn't have any of that. no policy going _ didn't have any of that. no policy going into — didn't have any of that. no policy going into these summer holiday was the only— going into these summer holiday was the only raac rated critical needed immediate attention. we were following that policy right up until august. _ following that policy right up until august, when we were still engaging with the _ august, when we were still engaging with the dfee to organise an additional survey and plan for remedial— additional survey and plan for remedial work overtime, and then the policy— remedial work overtime, an

raac? the merits? the merits of raac, raac? the merits? the merits of raac. basically — raac?cally it is a product that goes in the mix which means you use less cement — goes in the mix which means you use less cement. so it made the tarmac companies — less cement. so it made the tarmac companies ready mixed concrete, however. — companies ready mixed concrete, however, cheaper. it brought the price _ however, cheaper. it brought the price of— however, cheaper. it brought the price of concrete down. so it's a bit like — price of concrete down. so it's a bit like buying food with substitute product _ bit like buying food with substitute product in, really. it was another way of— product in, really. it was another way of using less cement. cement is strong _ way of using less cement. cement is strong on _ way of using less cement. cement is strong on its — way of using less cement. cement is strong on its own. 50 you wouldn't have _ strong on its own. 50 you wouldn't have the _ strong on its own. 50 you wouldn't have the problem in the storms if you had _ have the problem in the

may 2019, an expert committee issued an alert on raac.to remove all raac from the nhs. 2021, school building safety was rated "critical" by the department for education. and in march 2022, schools were asked to check for raac. less than half had responded by this summer. some schools have been dealing with this for months but until yesterday, urgent action was only taken if the concrete was in a critical condition. what we learnt over the summer was that there are a number of cases in schools but also in non—school buildings and in england and outside england where raac that we previously thought was safe or low—risk actually has failed. so we took swift action to change the guidance yesterday. the new techniques have produced i better schools more quickly and more cheaply than ever before... in the 19605, cheap building materials delivered new schools. but now, some are dealing with a crumbling legacy. spending on school buildings in england has fallen sharply and is below government estimates of what is needed for repairs. in scotland,

the problem is, there's no exact record of where raac was used.s this failure, some argue, that means some buildings remain unsound. frances read, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent tony bonsignore has more on the story, with political reaction from this morning. this is obviously a deep concern for millions of parents, wondering whether their children are going to go back to school this week. the government telling us this is only a minority of schools and pupils that were affected. but it is clear we don't have the full scale of this. there are big political questions for the government to answer. not least, given that this is a problem that has been known about for many many years, the immediate prompt for this was a problem at a school back in 2018. but given this has been known about for so long, why is it the key question now, this only changing guidance that means some schools are short, why did that only happened a few ——means some schools are shut, why did that only happened a few days ago, just days before pupils return? that was a qu

briefly, what is it about raac that makes it dangerous? i raac that makes it dangerous?nning to the end of its natural life, if you like. it has a life span of 30 years, or a use span of 30 years and this concrete was used up until about the mid 90s. so you have a situation where it is reaching the end of its usable life span, really. it is less structurally resilient than normal reinforced concrete because it has much greater air concentration within the structure of it and that's what makes it a greater risk of crumbling. the issue has been known for a while but it has come to a head in the last week or so because the government said that they have been given new advice over they have been given new advice over the safety of raac in schools and thatis the safety of raac in schools and that is why they have published this advice just before schools are due to go back to say, actually, we thought these buildings where safeties but we have decided as a precautionary measure we don't want you to use and because we don't think they are as safe as we previously thought.- thi

the government says it's acting now because guidance changed after a raac beam collapsed in after a raaciously been thought safe. raac was used in public buildings from the 1950s until the mid—19 90s because it was quicker to manufacture than traditional reinforced concrete and easier to install. this traditional reinforced concrete and easier to install.— and easier to install. as you can see. — and easier to install. as you can see. it's _ and easier to install. as you can see, it's fairly _ can see, it's fairly lightweight, you can probably see the air bubble through the concrete itself, which is part of its name. it's reinforced, you can see the group within the concrete itself which is reinforced. 0ne the concrete itself which is reinforced. one of the main issues can occur when water can actually get inside the concrete itself, it passes through these our pockets, can get to the re—buy which obviously is metal and obviously is metal and obviously can rust. 0bviously metal that rusts becomes weak and that's what can cause the themselves to actually fail and fall. . ., . ., , themsel

let's look closer at this type of concrete called raac.ial. raac was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the i950s and i990s. it is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, is quicker to produce and easier to install. it is aerated, or "bubbly". but it is less durable and has a life span of around 30 years. so why is this happening now? how many more schools could be affected? and how long will it take to make them safe? our analysis editor ros atkins has been looking at some of the key questions. these are four questions the government's facing about unsafe concrete in england's schools. first, why is this happening now? because raac has long been a known problem, while the government says the risk assessment has changed. education secretary gillian keegan says there's new evidence of when raac had failed unexpectedly, most recently towards the end of august. and that has led to a new policy where, if raac is identified in schools, those buildings will be taken out of use, according to the schools ministe

about raac.t about it but i would add a bit more to what you have said to the viewers understanding. raac has been explained as crumbly or bubbly but one of the key points was one of the things your first contributor said which is the term concrete is misleading. raac is an aerated autoclaved concrete but it's a different material to concrete. concrete is very dense, solid, strong. raac is very light, it is 70% air and it is not very strong and it, worryingly it degrades over and it, worryingly it degrades over a period of time.— and it, worryingly it degrades over a period of time. your organisation has been suggesting _ a period of time. your organisation has been suggesting having - a period of time. your organisation | has been suggesting having regular inspections since 1999. why do you think that hasn't been taking place? i cannot say to be honest. we can only advise and we do that. we look at the facts, we understand more about this material as more investigations are carried out. we conti

we have bits of raac rated high risk or medium risk. at the time we have been following was that we don't have to do anything immediately to attend to that. however, that changed, that guidance, last week. no longer is it just critical raac that needs immediate attention, it is anywhere with pot present which means we have to close. what do you plan to do now? you have outdoor space now? quite a large outdoor field. our plan is to source accommodation as quickly as possible on the school field, so we can get all of the children back at school learning. exactly what you should be doing. just one of many schools caught up in this growing problem, and we expect from the government this week a definitive list of those schools that have been affected. that list has emerged. there are 30 of them. aberdeenshire council, lanarkshire council, one school which has not been named. those are the list of the 30 schools which have been affected by the concrete crisis which is emerging across the country. we believe there are in total over 100 schools

this secondary school has been propping up raac panels for months.advice had changed. so this is the pe department at scalby school. as you can see, there's plenty of mitigation in place to support the raac ceiling that we have here. this was installed in the summer term last year. it's notjust the pe block. some of the science classrooms are affected too. it's very difficult to be optimistic about opening this part of the school at any time — if at all. and the just redecorated canteen. we're going to use our gymnasium and a marquee in order to do dining facilities. the school's bid to rebuild was turned down last year, so now it's temporary classrooms and online learning. a frustration at all counts. we didn't know about it. we didn't feel there was a risk. the last minute nature of it, and what this is actually doing to families. so for these teenagers at the school, a late start to term. they face gcses next year. we're being told that we're going back on monday but it could be a mixture of online learning. so it would be the case of when we're g

in may 2019, an expert committee issued an alert on raac.l building safety was rated critical by the department for education and skills and in march 2022, schools were asked to check for raac. less than half had responded by this summer. some schools have been dealing with this for months, but until yesterday, urgent action was only taken if the concrete was in a critical condition. what we learned over the summer was that there are a number of cases in schools, but also in non—school buildings, in england and outside england, where raac we had previously thought was safe or low risk actually has failed. so we took swift action to change the guidance yesterday. new techniques have produced better schools more quickly and more cheaply than ever before. in the 1960s, cheap building materials delivered new schools. but now, some are dealing with the crumbling legacy. spending on school buildings in england has fallen sharply. and it is below government estimates of what is needed for repairs. in scotland, similar challenges over raac, 35 schoo

you rightly said earlier raac is a lightweight form | earlier raac is a lightweight form of concrete,5 and 19905 which was post—war era. at the time, it was believed to have a life of 60 years, we are only learning now it is more likely 30 years. it is found in flat roofs mainly and there is some evidence of it in walls and some evidence of it in walls and some floors. the challenge at the moment is the methods of detecting raac. at the moment it is through visual surveys and taking samples. tho5e visual surveys can be subjective and taking samples can add further risk. we need to be looking at existing technologies that exist in other sectors that we can quickly adapt and deploy to accelerate the solution for the challenge we have got now. i wanted to ask white — challenge we have got now. i wanted to ask white has _ challenge we have got now. i wanted to ask white has it _ challenge we have got now. i wanted to ask white has it taken _ challenge we have got now. i wanted to ask white has it taken so - challenge we have got now. i wanted to ask white has it taken so long - to ask whi

we now know that 156 schools have raac, in 52 we have already taken action where the raac was regardedve been told that a full definitive list _ of use. we have been told that a full definitive list will _ of use. we have been told that a full definitive list will be - full definitive list will be published and it could be hundreds of schools affected, when will we get that list? the of schools affected, when will we get that list?— get that list? the list of 156 schools will _ get that list? the list of 156 schools will be _ get that list? the list of 156 schools will be published i get that list? the list of 156 | schools will be published this get that list? the list of 156 - schools will be published this week. we want to make sure that the schools had an opportunity to contact the parents first before releasing it to the media, and make sure that the information about this, notjust a simple list, names of schools, it's about what has happened in their schools, we wanted to make sure that the information is accurate and once we are sure it is accurate, then we will be able to relea

. what backsides responding to a government survey about raac.— survey about raac.ut raac. what we are seeing between _ survey about raac. what we are seeing between the _ survey about raac. what we are seeing between the secretary i survey about raac. what we are seeing between the secretary of| seeing between the secretary of state, a blame game between her and the prime minister, this ought to be a time when we are reassuring parents hugely about what is happening. iii} parents hugely about what is happening-— parents hugely about what is hauuenin, ii ,., ., happening. 70 miles away from westminster, _ happening. 70 miles away from westminster, half— happening. 70 miles away from westminster, half of _ happening. 70 miles away from westminster, half of tony - happening. 70 miles away from | westminster, half of tony wood school in colchester has had to close because of raac, leaving half the students to learn remotely. it is a problem that will not go away anytime soon. it is a problem that will not go away anytime soon-— anytime soon. it is going to take six mon

, provided the raac i5 rooms that have raac, provided the raac is not in a critical condition.s issue, seeking out the evidence more than any other government in the world and any other in the united kingdom. world and any other in the united kinudom. ., , world and any other in the united kinudom. . , ., kingdom. even if that is true, what aarents kingdom. even if that is true, what parents care _ kingdom. even if that is true, what parents care about _ kingdom. even if that is true, what parents care about today _ kingdom. even if that is true, what parents care about today is - kingdom. even if that is true, what| parents care about today is whether their children are going to a safe school building. i want to get to the bottom of this. what of the local authorities and councils that did not tell did not survey the schools efficiently that meant, 2018, when the report was out, that meant he then had to ask for a surveyjust meant he then had to ask for a survey just last year meant he then had to ask for a surveyjust last year and meant he then had to ask for a survey just la

so, how do you tell if this is raac?of panels will need to be checked by a 5urveyor. so, the situation here is we actually don't know. this area has not been surveyed, so we don't know whether or not there is raac present. some cla55room5 shut until they know either way. claydon high school in suffolk has almost 800 pupils. where raac is confirmed, the building is completely closed off. it is devastating. the start of a school year should be about looking forward, it should be exciting, we should be celebrating the great results we got in the summer, instead of which we are now scrambling to deal with just getting children back into school. so the term will start with remote learning for some year group5, while they try to get temporary cla55room5 on site. for this school in warwick, this is particularly hard to swallow. in a letter to parents, the head teacher says last year they put in a bid for the buildings to be rebuilt. they were told in december they were not in critical enough condition. one building has a roof w

that may be right, but injune, an official report said that the department of education sees raac ase greatest risk to safety across the school estate. and that was before the risk was upgraded, which is why this issue is raising questions for parents, children and teachers. so, who should be answering all of those questions? the teaching union the association of school & college leaders says rishi sunak has significant questions to answer over why when he was chancellor the budget was cut to fix crumbling concrete in schools. the general secretary of the ascl, geoff barton, is with us now. welcome, geoff. i want to explain to viewers that it was because jonathan i want to explain to viewers that it was becausejonathan slater said that when rishi sunak was chancellor the treasury refused to put more money into repairing schools and actually cut funding that there is this political row, something the prime minister strongly denies. i think that is completely and utterly wrong. - actually one of the first things | i did as chancellor in my first| spending review in 2020 l was to announ

none of the raac we have in school is critical. _ raac.ium risk, which we were told was not any problem _ risk, which we were told was not any problem. now we have to close any space _ problem. now we have to close any space that — problem. now we have to close any space that has raac present in it. you have — space that has raac present in it. you have outdoor space, what is the plan? you have outdoor space, what is the lan? , ., , , ., ., plan? our priority is to get all the children back _ plan? our priority is to get all the children back as _ plan? our priority is to get all the children back as quickly _ plan? our priority is to get all the children back as quickly as - children back as quickly as possible. the only way is to increase _ possible. the only way is to increase the space on site and get some _ increase the space on site and get some form — increase the space on site and get some form of mobile classroom, portakabin, marquee, whateverto portakabin, marquee, whatever to ensure _ portakabin, marquee, whateverto ensure child

have a lot of raac in — the forefront, they have a lot of raac in hospitals and they know where _ raactiple building owners, running _ 50 years, multiple building owners, running a _ 50 years, multiple building owners, running a busy hospital in a busy school, — running a busy hospital in a busy school, that gets put on the shelf it is on— school, that gets put on the shelf it is on paper and eventually gets binned _ it is on paper and eventually gets binned. when come looking for it, it was binned — binned. when come looking for it, it was binned years ago. luc? binned. when come looking for it, it was binned years ago.— was binned years ago. lucy powell was binned years ago. lucy powell was here from _ was binned years ago. lucy powell was here from the _ was binned years ago. lucy powell was here from the labour- was binned years ago. lucy powell was here from the labour party i was here from the labour party saying that i escort it is what the labour party would think would be a sensible thing to do. that actually couldn't be possible if there... every building has to be looked at,

its roof is made with raac.r was that there are a number of cases in schools, but also in non—school buildings and in england and outside england where raac that we previously thought was safe or low risk actually has failed. so we took swift action to change the guidance yesterday. new techniques have produced better schools more quickly and more - cheaply than ever before... in the 1960s, cheap building materials delivered new schools. but now, some are dealing with a crumbling legacy. spending on school buildings in england has fallen dramatically. between 2010 and 2022, it went down by 50%, taking rising costs into account. around £4 billion to £8 billion a year is thought to be needed to keep schools in a good condition. but since 2016, around 2.3 billion has been spent, on average, each year. in some schools alerted last term, work is already under way. now 100 more are managing similar risks. branwen jeffreys, bbc news. lady barran, an education minister in the government, says parents whose schools are a

raac is not news. we've known about this for— raac is not news.nsure that raac provision in schools — plan to ensure that raac provision in schools is addressed, that it is remedied. — in schools is addressed, that it is remedied, it is replaced and that schools— remedied, it is replaced and that schools are kept safe. so parliament really _ schools are kept safe. so parliament really does _ schools are kept safe. so parliament really does need to hold the government to account on this, to ensure _ government to account on this, to ensure that — government to account on this, to ensure that there is a clear raac register— ensure that there is a clear raac register of— ensure that there is a clear raac register of schools and that there is a clear— register of schools and that there is a clear plan for surveying and remedying _ is a clear plan for surveying and remedying those schools within an urgent _ remedying those schools within an urgent timeframe.— remedying those schools within an urgent timeframe. yeah, we may get more details — urgent tim

it's desiuned of concrete known as raac. it's designed to _ of concrete known as raac. easy to mould and extremely popular in public building projects after the war. but there is a major problem with this stuff, and it is this. it can crumble, just like that. crumble, 'ust like that. later that ear, the crumble, just like that. later that year, the department _ crumble, just like that. later that year, the department for - crumble, just like that. later that i year, the department for education would issue a raac warning notice to schools. in 2019, an independent safety body warned that pre—1980 concrete marker planks are past their expected service life and it is recommended that consideration is given to their replacement. that would bring costs, added to the ongoing costs of school repairs and upkeep. but the government's own spending watchdog says the estimate of the costs has not been met. it saysin of the costs has not been met. it says in recent years, funding for school buildings has not matched the amount the department for education estimates that it needs. it

two of which involved raac _ over the summer. two of which involved raac which _ over the summer.usly categorised as non—crickets all but we saw collapses in those cases which alerted them and changed policy. in which alerted them and changed oli . :: ' j~ which alerted them and changed oli _ ii ' f~ ., , which alerted them and changed oli _ its ., , which alerted them and changed oli _ its ., i. policy. in 2018, there was already a colla sed policy. in 2018, there was already a collapsed building, _ policy. in 2018, there was already a collapsed building, earlier- policy. in 2018, there was already a collapsed building, earlier this - collapsed building, earlier this year a structure not engineer committee sent notices to schools telling them there were some problems. this is not a new problem. they may have suddenly discovered it is worse than previously thought but is worse than previously thought but is not new. we were told the government would be tackling this during the summer. and they haven't. we are now faced with a crisis at the start of term. i accept the government an

raac, and it has been widely _ house children?aac, and it has been widely reported _ house children? raac, and it has been widely reported in - house children? raac, and it has been widely reported in the - house children? raac, and it has been widely reported in the last l been widely reported in the last couple of days, a very lightweight and bubbly concrete type mix. it is actually about 70% area. it is not at all like concrete that we know. concrete is very dense, it is very solid, and when combined with steel reinforcement, is a very strong and reliable building material. raac is a combination of this aerated, or concrete and steel reinforcement. the reason people used it, it is very lightweight, it is very cost effective, it had good insulation values, and it was quick to build. but it does have a number of safety risks, which we are finding out now. talk us through those. why is there such concerns surrounding this material? ,., . ~ such concerns surrounding this material? ., such concerns surrounding this material?— such c

raac is one issue _ not fit for purpose. raac is one issue we — not fit for purpose. we also know that asbestos is an issue in many of our school buildings _ an issue in many of our school buildings. many of them are too hot in summer— buildings. many of them are too hot in summerand too buildings. many of them are too hot in summer and too cold in winter. the national audit office published information injune saying that a third _ information injune saying that a third of— information injune saying that a third of school buildings are past their— third of school buildings are past their life — third of school buildings are past their life span. so, this is back to a cancellation of the building schools — a cancellation of the building schools for the future programme. we have not— schools for the future programme. we have not had _ schools for the future programme. we have not had a big enough investment in or school— have not had a big enough investment in or school infrastructure in the last in or school infrastructure in the tast13 _ in or school infrastructure in

we've been researching raac _ dangerous? a good start. we've been researching raac at _ dangerous?ood start. we've been researching raac at our university - researching raac at our university for a couple of years. and the introduction is reinforced, autoclaved, meaning it's cooked in a pressure cooker, it's aerated, light weight and easy to build and then it's concrete as well. like normal concrete. it needs to be looked after differently to normal concrete. after differently to normal concrete-— after differently to normal concrete. , , concrete. has it been considered dangerous _ concrete. has it been considered dangerous or _ concrete. has it been considered dangerous or problematic- concrete. has it been considered dangerous or problematic for - concrete. has it been considered dangerous or problematic for a l concrete. has it been considered i dangerous or problematic for a long time, chris? dangerous or problematic for a long time. chris?— time, chris? well, we built a lot with it in the — time, chris? well, we built a lot with it in the 50s _ time, chris? well, we built a l

been known for years _ in 2019, an expert committee issued an alert on raac.e government promised to remove it from nhs buildings by 2035. in 2021, school safety was rated critical by the department for education. the government rejects the accusation that it has been slow to act. we did act sooner, to be fair. there was a collapse of a school ceiling back in 2018, we immediately, together with the local government association, provided a warning notice to schools, which is pretty detailed, about what they should do to assess and manage the concrete in the ceiling. in scotland, the government says that 35 schools contain the concrete, but measures are in place to protect pupils safety. in wales and northern ireland it is not yet clear whether raac is causing problems. it is notjust schools where this concrete poses a risk, other public buildings are affected. the courts, for example. and more than a0 nhs buildings. zoe conway, bbc news. live now to sarah skinner. she is the ceo of penrose learning trust in suffolk which controls eight schools, three of which a

that report is what identified the fact that we had raac.i think the issue is that the policy changed so our raac was deemed high, medium and low. a combination of those three. there is a higher rating called "critical", we didn't have any "critical". and the policyjust going into the summer holiday was that only raac rated "critical" needed some immediate attention. so, we were following that policy right up to mid—august where we were still engaging with the dfe to organise an additional survey and then an action plan for the remedial work over time. and then the policy changed to be any room with raac could no longer be used. let's bring in our panel — paul waugh, political editor there is reporting that it closed you and right ovary and went for the most hostage often —— unilaterally. the bad news is it's notjust schools, its public buildings like social housing. all sorts of different buildings that have been built with cheap material. i different buildings that have been built with cheap material.- built with cheap material. i think wh

they now have raac concrete.uilding pulled. this is as a result of sticking plaster politics and botched jobs. the sort of thing you expect from cowboy builders saying that everyone else is wrong, everyone else is to blame, protesting they've done a really good job, even if the ceiling falls in. the difference, mr speaker, is that in this case the cowboys are running the country! cheering the prime minister defended their record. , , , ~ ., record. this is exactly the kind of olitical record. this is exactly the kind of political opportunism _ record. this is exactly the kind of political opportunism we - record. this is exactly the kind of political opportunism we have i political opportunism we have come... cheering exactly the kind of opportunism we have come to expect from him over there. �* ., ., �*, ., . there. before today he's never once raised this issue _ there. before today he's never once raised this issue with _ there. before today he's never once raised this issue with me _ there. before today he's

more guidance was issued in 2021 and 2022 about how to manage raac. the expert advice at that point was that if it's not in a critical condition, then it's safe to use continue to use rooms that have provided the raac isn't in a critical condition. so just what is different about the type of concrete at the centre of all this? raac to give its full name, is reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. it's a lightweight concrete that was used in roofs, floors and walls sacross floors and walls across europe between the 1950s and 1990s. raac is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete because it's aerated, or "bubbly". however it's less durable with a limited lifespan of around 30 years, and its structural behaviour differs significantly from traditional reinforced concrete. the health and safety authority says raac is now beyond its lifespan and may "collapse with little or no notice". let's get more now from our correspondent helena wilkinson who's at a school in south london the impact on those schools affected cannot be understated. absolutely, and th

the concrete known as raac is lightweight, and was used in many public buildings, mostly between the0s and the 90s. it is usually found in roofs, and in some walls and floors. it is weaker than traditional concrete, and experts say that it has a life span of 30 years. many public buildings like hospitals and schools are affected. ministers say that they are now taking a more cautious approach, following recent cases where raac failed. what we learnt over the summer was that there are a number of cases in schools but also in non—school buildings and in england and outside england, where raac that we previously thought was safe or low risk actually has failed, so we took swift action to change the guidance yesterday. the problem was first highlighted five years ago. some are questioning why this announcement has been made so close to students returning to schools. we have been talking to the government for quite some time about this. it would be useful to know a bit earlier than we have done, a few days before children are due to go back, teachers will go back, in most cases before tha

the risks from failing raac beams have been known about for decades, but government checks on school been visual, surveyors not even expected to remove ceiling tiles to identify critical structural problems behind. the labour party says cuts in school maintenance budgets have put lives at risk. i can think of a no more defining image about the last 13 years of conservative government than children being sat in classrooms under metal props to prevent the ceilings literally falling in on their heads. it is scandalous. we're working to make sure that there is minimal- disruption to education. the education secretary is hoping that this departmental video posted on youtube will console worried parents. but this is not a crisis that will be sorted out in days or even weeks. but the safety of students and all of those working in our schools is my number one priority. and it's notjust schools like this one in england that are affected. 35 schools in scotland are known to have raac, and education authorities across the uk are looking at what needs to be done. as of now, we simply don't know

the raac works around the affected areas.we are able to operate all of our classrooms from the start of term. the dangers of raac in public buildings have been known for years. in july 2018, buildings have been known for years. injuly 2018, a buildings have been known for years. in july 2018, a school buildings have been known for years. injuly 2018, a school is collapsed without warning. in may 2019, an expert committee issued an alert on raac. in 2020, a promise to remove all raac from the nhs. 2021, school building safety was rated critical ljy building safety was rated critical by the department for education and skills and in march 2022, schools were asked to check for raac. less than half had responded by this summer. some schools have been dealing with this for months, but until yesterday, urgent action was only taken if the concrete was in a critical condition.— only taken if the concrete was in a critical condition. what we learned over the summer _ critical condition. what we learned over the summer was _ critical c

the raac ranges from across the site ten may be just the raac ranges from across the site ten may bejust to know, are the building safe? there has been a plan for this and there has been since 2019. some people might have seen props holding up parts of the local hospital. elsewhere there has been regular inspections. today there has been an acknowledgement that those measures cannot totally eradicate the risks. for measures cannot totally eradicate the risks. ., ., , , ~ measures cannot totally eradicate the risks. ., ., ,, ,, ~ ~ the risks. for an issue like raac, it is widely _ the risks. for an issue like raac, it is widely documented - the risks. for an issue like raac, it is widely documented that you | it is widely documented that you can never— it is widely documented that you can never be _ it is widely documented that you can never be 100% certain but in terms of the _ never be 100% certain but in terms of the levels of risk we are following the appropriate specialist advice _ following the appropriate specialist advice and guidance and acting accordingly. the advice and guidanc

the problem as there is no exact record of where raac was used.ustralian icebreaker has embarked on a 2,000—mile journey to a research station in antarctica in an operation to rescue a researcher who's fallen ill there. an air rescue from the remote casey outpost was ruled out because of harsh conditions. from the newsroom, nicky schiller explained the complexity of the rescue operation. this is the icebreaker being sent on a rescue mission to rescue the researcher who has what is being called a debilitating medical condition. it's taken weeks to get this vessel ready, including equipping it with helicopters. to give you a sense of the scale of the operation, look at this map. it's leaving from hobart in tasmania, and is on a journey all the way to the casey research station in antarctica, which is of course one of the most inhospitable places on the planet. indeed, the journey is 3,443 kilometres from hobart, all the way down to casey station. now, the icebreaker has a top speed of around 30 kilometres an hour, so it's going to take days to get t