Transcripts For BBCNEWS Verified 20240703

Known as raac a type of concrete, thats known to be at risk of crumbling. Meanwhile, in the last couple of hours another twist with the Education Secretary caught on camera voicing her frustrations about the media coverage. This is Gillian Keegan, after an interview with itv news. Does anyone ever say, you know what, youve done a bleep good job, because Everyone Else has sat on their and done nothing . No signs of that, no . The footage was captured by itv news as the Camera Repositioned for extra shots at the end of an interview with the minister, while she was still wearing her microphone. In the last hour or so, Gillian Keegan has given another interview, apologising for those comments. Have apologising for those comments. Have a listen. Gillian keegan, you said Everyone Else had sat on their as is, which suggests you think people hadnt been pulling their weight. Who were you talking about . It was about nobody in particular. It was an off the cuff remark after the News Interview had finished or apparently after it had finished. I would like to apologise for my choice language there. But it was an off the cuff remark, basically based on the interview. The interview had been pressing me quite hard, why i hadnt solved this issue which had been going on since 1994. It is frustrating because we are doing everything now to take a leading position, to be on the front foot, to put all of the support in place that responsible bodies and schools need. It is also frustrating weve got some questionnaires that are still not there. We have been chasing and chasing them. So we have just written today again to say, you need to get your questionnaires in by the end of the week. I understand because obviously the evidence has changed, but you need to be able to move quickly when you get new evidence. So that is something that, yes, i apologise for the language, but it is something that im very keen to make progress on. That was the Education Secretary. Lets look at the broader issue of unsaved concrete at schools. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister responded to accusations that he refused to adequately fund school repairs. Unsafe concrete. Are you to blame for. Whats happening now . And do you want to apologise to parents and pupils . 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 was to announce a new Ten Year School Rebuilding Programme for 500 schools. Now, that equates to about 50 schools a year that will be refurbished or rebuilt. And if you look at what weve been doing over the previous decade, thats completely in line with what weve always done. About 50 or so schools a year refurbished or rebuilt. Thats what i announced as chancellor in my first Spending Review. On top of that, i also invested £5 billion to help our kids catch up with lost learning from covid, the education recovery programme. I think youll remember at the time that was rightly a priority of the country to help our kids whove been disrupted by covid, with extra tutoring, for example, to help them catch up. And that cost £5 billion, which i invested in as chancellor. Lets you the live pictures from the house of commons, because the Health Secretary Steve Barclay is currently just giving an update after Steve Barclay has concluded, and the Education Secretary will give an update on this issue. So, we will leave those pictures there of the house of commons, so you wont miss a momentjust as soon as Gillian Keegan approaches the dispatch box, but whilst we wait, lets talk to our Political Correspondent Damian Grammaticas At Westminster. Lets return to the earlier contribution from the Education Secretary, with those off the cuff comments, as she describes it. What have we heard from number ten specifically about that . ~. ,. ,. ,. , that . Well, what we have heard as ou make that . Well, what we have heard as you make a that . Well, what we have heard as you make a layer that . Well, what we have heard as you make a layer is that . Well, what we have heard as you make a layer is the that . Well, what we have heard as you make a layer is the education | you make a layer is the Education Secretary coming out, and i think, being made to come out very quickly and issue that apology. Is you made clear. Some are saying it is a bit of a half apology, because she turned around and said that it was the interviewer, the Tv Correspondence he was putting her on that, and he is a correspondent who has investigated lots of issues around schools and maintenance of government buildings. Pushing her on that. So, lots of questions about that. But that row in itself is distracted or distracted a bit of attention from the central issue, which were pointing out of the state of schools. But Gillian Keegan found herself caught on camera, in a very embarrassing moment, and it is not ultimately clear whether she was talking about the interviewer or talking about the interviewer or talking about the interviewer or talking about other ministers, about schools being slow to come out with information about which buildings might be affected, or if she was talking about the Prime Minister rishi sunak and decisions he made as chancellor, in charge of government spending, and criticisms that those budgets might have been cut, which he obviously says doesnt happen. The opposition, as you can imagine, really making hay from this. So, labour leader sir keir starmer has talked about things descending into farce, as the Liberal Democrat opposition are saying that Gillian Keegan shouldnt be asking anyone to thank her at a time when it is insulting to parents, when children are being told they cant go to School Because of the state of buildings. School because of the state of buildinus. �. , School Because of the state of buildinus. �. , School Because of the state of buildin95 School Because of the state of buildinus. �. , buildings. And what has been the reaction there buildings. And what has been the reaction there at buildings. And what has been the reaction there At Westminster buildings. And what has been the reaction there At Westminster to | buildings. And what has been the i reaction there At Westminster to the defence from rishi sunak Facing Accusations that he cut budgets or didnt increase them as much as the Department For Education actually wanted . What, in terms of his defence, because he made the point there was money allocated by him for 50 schools, which was the same as the decade preceding it, but that doesnt suggest any sort of step change after the crucial boarding. No, well, the government says the crucial when it was a few weeks ago, when buildings its also 0k crucial when it was a few weeks ago, when buildings its also ok for the time being, every file done in one of them. But as you say, there has been warnings going back many years, and even a couple of decades about the state of this. These are 50 year old schools with Concrete Settlement to last 30 years. Mr sunak� s case says that when he came on as chancellor, he gave this funding for schools. Concrete that was meant to last. That was about 50 a year. That was a new sort of programme, replacing ones that were already going on about that level. A senior Civil Servant said today, in the Department For Education, that they had actually asked for 100 schools a year, and been given 50. But what seems clear is that even now, the level of funding is about 3 billion a year, i think. The best practice that the Governments National accounts office said should be spent, or could be spent to bring all buildings up should be about double that. And that is still less than if you are just the last Labour Government was spending, according to the Fiscal Institute that observes the thing is, back in 2010, when labour was last in, it was spending more than that. So, lots around these figures, and the Prime Minister saying he didnt cut them, but as you say, at the minute that is still going on, that programme is about 50 a year, and now, the government is facing this issue are urgently needing to repair schools and get children back into them. Damien in westminster there. Thank you very much. Earlier, i spoke with author, broadcaster and host of rock n roll politics podcast, steve richards, and asked him what he makes of Gillian Keegans comments. The government has two problems here. One is the communications issue, and it isjust basic here. One is the communications issue, and it is just basic politics that you dont say things like that when you still have a microphone and a half on. You can see how sort of taking it off while she is purging her frustration and anger with Everyone Else. You just dont do it. It is kind of an mature. Politicians who have done that in the past always deeply regretted it. It is kind of temperature. Rishi sunak was also kind of unconvincing in his answers to, busy blaming Everyone Else. It was kind of temperature. I dont think he was effective as a medicated dealing with this. But there are issues with decisions made over spending over the last 13 years, and the consequences of those decisions being played out an hour. In a way, it is a nightmare for the government, because as the start of a new political year, and you hope to kind of change the mood music, and you are actually hit with a very tangible sense of things not working. I tangible sense of things not workinu. , tangible sense of things not workinu. ,. ~. , tangible sense of things not workinu. , tangible sense of things not workin. U,. ~. , h,. , working. I will come back to some of those broader working. I will come back to some of those broader points, working. I will come back to some of those broader points, but working. I will come back to some of those broader points, but in working. I will come back to some of those broader points, but in terms i those broader points, but in terms of those comments on the gaffe, one remembers Gordon Browns gaffe after meeting a pensioner. These things do permanent damage, or can theyjust be fleetingly embarrassing . I think it is more than be fleetingly embarrassing . I think it is more than fleeting. Be fleetingly embarrassing . I think it is more than fleeting. Gordon it is more than fleeting. Gordon brown was tortured when he was caught slagging off a voter in a car with his microphone still on. He apologised right away and went to see the voter, but it doesnt remove the original remarks that have been captured, and i think the problem for Gillian Keegan is that it kind of reinforced, by saying it has nothing to do with me, im doing very well in addressing this, and it is complicated, because it is another crisis when the question of who is in charge applies. Local authorities, and government. But in the end, in britain, Central Government tends to be responsible and accountable. So, they ought to sort this out, and it is all very well rishi sunak saying he commissioned more school building, but the points being made by the senior official of the Department For Education was it was nowhere near enough. It was a cut on the original plan, and this resistance to investing in Capital Spending is a sort of ideological mission. He would say as chancellor he was then bothered about addressing the deficit after the pandemic, and wouldnt do any of these things. But this is the problem that now arises, and i think it is a problem for rishi sunak, but Gillian Keegan has made the matter worse by doing this off the cuff stuff, which torments those who get caught. She will be in agonies over it. Is those who get caught. She will be in agonies over it. Agonies over it. Is there a twin wider problem agonies over it. Is there a twin wider problem as agonies over it. Is there a twin wider problem as well agonies over it. Is there a twin wider problem as well that agonies over it. Is there a twin wider problem as well that it l wider problem as well that it becomes a metaphorfor a malaise, but also, they still dont know, the government, that the scale of what they are talking about even within schools, let alone the wider sector of housing, hospitals, Oranything Else . Of housing, hospitals, or anything else . ,. , of housing, hospitals, or anything else . ,. ,. , else . Yes, and there are now reports that various else . Yes, and there are now reports that various other else . Yes, and there are now reports that various other buildings else . Yes, and there are now reports that various other buildings will that various other buildings will have to be closed as well, so the scale of it is not fully known, and the unknown is terrifying for ministers. But as i say, they have had plenty of warning, certainly in relation to schools and other buildings indeed, that this might become an issue, but there was a reluctance to plan and spend and invest in the appropriate moments. And now, they are running to catch up. And there is the sense that nothing is working, which. We will come away. Nothing is working, which. We will come away, because nothing is working, which. We will come away, because the nothing is working, which. We will come away, because the educationl come away, because the Education Secretary is arriving at the dispatch box. To secretary is arriving at the dispatch box. Secretary is arriving at the dispatch box. Secretary is arriving at the disatch box. ,. , dispatch box. To respond to the risk of raac. Before dispatch box. To respond to the risk of raac. Before i dispatch box. To respond to the risk of raac. Before i go dispatch box. To respond to the risk of raac. Before i go into dispatch box. To respond to the risk of raac. Before i go into the of raac. Before i go into the specifics, i want to be clear that nothing is more important than 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 majority have been able to continue to provide face to face learning without any disruption. We remain in contact with them. Last week, we advised a further 104 schools and colleges to take spaces that are known to contain raac out of use, if they have not already done so. The majority of these settings will remain open for face to face learning on the existing site, because only a small part of each site is affected. A minority of pupils will be fully partially relocated to alternative accommodation to continue fa ce to fa ce accommodation to continue face to face learning, while mitigations are put in place. Madam deputy speaker, i want to reassure parents and children that we are taking a deliberately cautious approach to prioritising childrens safety. Because of our proactive questionnaire and Surveying Programme, we have a better understanding of where raac is on schools, then in most other countries. All schools and colleges that have advice as they suspect they might have raac will be surveyed within a matter of weeks, in many cases, in a few days. Most suspected cases will not have raac. So far, when we have surveyed schools, around two thirds of suspected cases do not have raac. We will follow the same approach of any new cases through the professional Surveying Programme. The vast majority of schools will be unaffected, and children should attend school as normal, unless parents are contacted by their school. As my right honourable friend, the minister per schools, expend on friday, we will publish a list of schools once mitigations are in place. Explained on friday. It is right that parents are informed by schools if they are impacted, and that schools have time to work with the caseworker from the Department For Education on that. Im confirming today that we will publish a list of the 156 schools with confirmed cases of raac this week, with details of initial mitigations in place. After this, we will provide updated information, as new cases of raac are confirmed, and existing cases resolved. This will include updates on the impact on pupils, such as how many are learning face to face how many are receiving short periods of removed education. We are doing everything in our power to minimise disruption and avoid remote learning. I must thank the professional response of leaders, teachers, and support staff in the sector, who have acted swiftly to deliver contingency plans. Each impacted school and couege plans. Each impacted school and college as a dedicated caseworker to help implement a mitigation plan. This could include other spaces on the school site, or in nearby schools, or elsewhere in the local area, until structural supports for temporary buildings are installed. We have increased the supply of temporary buildings, working in three contractors and accelerated the installation of these. We have the installation of these. We have the support of our leading utility buildings to ensure these classrooms can be open. In a small number of schools, with confirmed raac, disruption to face to face learning is usually lasted a matter of days. In terms of funding, as the chancellor has said, we will spend whatever it takes to keep children safe. This includes paying for Emergency Mitigation Work to make building safe, including Alternative Classroom Space where necessary. Where schools need additional help with revenue gusts like transports to other locations, we are actively engaging with every school to put appropriate support in place. We will also find a longer term refurbishment or building refurbishment or building refurbishment where these are needed to remove raac. Technical advice has evolved over time, and indeed, the question of how to manage its risks across all sectors has spent successive governments until 1994. My successive governments until 1994. My department alerted to the sector about the potential risks of raac in 2013, 2018, after a sun roof collapse in a local primary school. We published this, with all local authorities, is to publish this, and making sure schools are instructed by structural engineer. We published a guide, saying that not all bodies are acting quickly enough. In 2022, we decided to take a more direct approach, issuing a questionnaire to responsible bodies for all 22,000 schools, asking them to identify whether or not they had or suspected raac. Responsible bodies have submitted responses to the questionnaire for 95 of schools with blocks built in the target period. In september 22, we started a programme where dfe sends a professional surveyor to assess where the raac is present. If raac was present, the Previous Department for education guidance was to grid critical or noncritical, and only take buildings out of use for critical raac cases. Degraded for. Such was the level of concern that i asked professionals to seek evidence of risks, including four Noncritical Raac. With this proactive approach, we discover details of three new cases over the summer, with raac that would have been traded as noncritical, i felt about warning. Graded as noncritical. There was one in a school in a different educational jurisdiction, and in this instance, the plank that bills remain suspended resting on a steel beam. As the plank was intact, the dfe engineers were able to investigate the situation, and in their professionaljudgment, the panel professional judgment, the panel affected professionaljudgment, the panel affected would have been previously rated as noncritical, but it had fails. Ministerial colleagues and i were already extremely concerned, and then a third failure of Raac Panels Code at a school in england in late august. This was a panel that had been previously graded as noncritical. Because childrens safety is our absolute priority, and it is right to make the difficult decision to change our guidance for education settings, so that areas previously deemed to contain Noncritical Raac are now being closed. Madam deputy speaker, iwant to set out why we are taking this more cautious approach of the Education Estate in england. Professional guidance is clear that where ever raac is found, it needs to be monitored closely. The School Estate is very disparate, with 22,000 settings with over 64,000 individual blocks. Monitoring raac closely is therefore difficult to do in this estate, and many responsible bodies dont have dedicated Estate Professionals or on School Colleges at all times. That is why we are taking an approach that is the right one for a schools and colleges. My officials have worked closely with experts in this field. Chris goodier, professor of Construction Materials at Loughborough University said that the Department For Education has been employing some of the best engineers on this, and have consulted us and the institution of structural engineers. The governments tea is what every child across the uk to go to school safely. My officials have been engaging urgently with the devolved illustrations to discuss our findings and offer support to understand raac in School Estates in scotland, wales and northern ireland. The governments priority. Last month, i offered my support with facilitating discussions between our technical experts. Im aware that this Policy Change occurred during recess, and therefore, i was not able to notify therefore, i was not able to notify the house in advance. For that, i apologise madam deputy speaker, and i hope you will understand why i felt i had to take the decision when i did. We are taking an extremely cautious approach to this issue, but i believe that this is the right thing to do when it comes to the safety of children. I commend the statements to the house. Statements to the house. Shadow Secretary Of Statements to the house. Shadow Secretary Of State, statements to the house. Shadow Secretary Of State, bridget Secretary Of State, Bridget Phillipe Secretary Of State, bridget phillis. , ,. , ~ Secretary Of State, bridget phillis. ,. , ~ phillips. Magnum epi speaker, thank ou. I phillips. Magnum epi speaker, thank you i thank phillips. Magnum epi speaker, thank you i thank the phillips. Magnum epi speaker, thank you. I thank the secretary phillips. Magnum epi speaker, thank you. I thank the secretary of phillips. Magnum epi speaker, thank you. I thank the Secretary Of State i you. I thank the Secretary Of State for her you. I thank the Secretary Of State for her advance sight of a statement. I will turn in a moment to be statement. I will turn in a moment to be a statement. I will turn in a moment to be a sorry statement. I will turn in a moment to be a sorry state of how we got here, to be a sorry state of how we got here, but to be a sorry state of how we got here, but i to be a sorry state of how we got here, but i will first as the house to reflect here, but i will first as the house to reflect on two things. Firstly, that the to reflect on two things. Firstly, that the safety of our children and staff in that the safety of our children and staff in schools today should be our highest staff in schools today should be our highest priority. While the voices of children are rarely heard in this place. Of children are rarely heard in this place. It of children are rarely heard in this place. It is of children are rarely heard in this place, it is their welfare, their fears place, it is their welfare, their fears that place, it is their welfare, their fears that should be uppermost in our minds fears that should be uppermost in our minds today. Secondly, that the mark our minds today. Secondly, that the mark and our minds today. Secondly, that the mark and measure of each of us as politicians mark and measure of each of us as politicians is mark and measure of each of us as politicians is our willingness to take politicians is our willingness to take and politicians is our willingness to take and accept responsibility. Collective responsibility, notjust for our collective responsibility, notjust for our own actions, but those of the governments in which we serve, and this the governments in which we serve, and this week, as a school year begins, and this week, as a school year begins, there is a awful lot of responsibility for ministers to take responsibility for ministers to take. What an utter shambles. The defining take. What an utter shambles. The defining image of 13 years of conservative government, children cowering conservative government, Children Cowering Under Steel props to stop the ceiling cowering under steel props to stop the ceiling falling in on their heads the ceiling falling in on their heads 13 the ceiling falling in on their heads. 13 years into a conservative government, and The Public Realm Is Literatiy government, and the public realm is literally crumbling around the next generation. The Education Secretary said this generation. The Education Secretary said this morning that in her view, it is not said this morning that in her view, it is not the said this morning that in her view, it is not the job of her department to ensure it is not the job of her department to ensure the safety of our childrens schools. But she was doing childrens schools. But she was doing a childrens schools. But she was doing a good job. Schools are literatty doing a good job. Schools are literally at risk of collapse, and she is literally at risk of collapse, and she is the literally at risk of collapse, and she is the Education Secretary, whose she is the Education Secretary, whose responsibility does she think it is then . Whose responsibility does she think it is then . This is the tragic end game it is then . This is the tragic end game of it is then . This is the tragic end game of the sticking plaster politics game of the sticking plaster politics of the last 13 years, and children politics of the last 13 years, and children have been failed by this conservative government. And it is raac conservative government. And it is raac which conservative government. And it is raac which is our focus today. But the issue raac which is our focus today. But the issue is raac which is our focus today. But the issue is wider and deeper. Across the issue is wider and deeper. Across our the issue is wider and deeper. Across our schools and across our country across our schools and across our country. Deeper, because School Buildings country. Deeper, because School Buildings are only part of the wider failure buildings are only part of the wider failure in buildings are only part of the wider failure in our education system, over failure in our education system, over which failure in our education system, over which ministers have been presiding over which ministers have been presiding for 13 long years. Why do because presiding for 13 long years. Why do because thousands upon thousands of schools because thousands upon thousands of schools and because thousands upon thousands of schools and other public buildings were built in the last century, not intended were built in the last century, not intended to last for more than a couple intended to last for more than a couple of intended to last for more than a couple of decades. System builds, guick. Couple of decades. System builds, quick, cheap, and too often also made quick, cheap, and too often also made us quick, cheap, and too often also made us asbestos, and is not expected made us asbestos, and is not expected to still be there in 30 years expected to still be there in 30 years expected to still be there in 30 years. Also made of asbestos. That years. Also made of asbestos. That is years. Also made of asbestos. That is why years. Also made of asbestos. That is why the last Labour Government took responsibility and began government took responsibility and began rebuilding them the length and breadth began rebuilding them the length and breadth of our country. That is why we launched the Building Schools For The Future we launched the Building Schools For The Future programme to give our children the future programme to give our children the start they deserve. That children the start they deserve. That is children the start they deserve. That is because then, as now and always. That is because then, as now and always, labour puts children first. The schools always, labour puts children first. The Schools Minister today was the same the Schools Minister today was the same Schools Minister who scrapped labours same Schools Minister who scrapped labours plans, is one of its very first labours plans, is one of its very first act labours plans, is one of its very first act back in 2010. In 2010, the conservatives are scaled back plans to just conservatives are scaled back plans to just 150 conservatives are scaled back plans to just 150 School Rebuilding projects each year. Slowing the pace of renewat projects each year. Slowing the pace of renewal. In 2021, when the then chancellor, of renewal. In 2021, when the then chancellor, now Prime Minister, delivered chancellor, now Prime Minister, delivered a Spending Review, he cut the pace delivered a Spending Review, he cut the pace again tojust delivered a Spending Review, he cut the pace again to just 50 a year, and today, the pace again to just 50 a year, and today, the previous Permanent Secretary and today, the previous Permanent Secretary at the Department For Education told of The Departments bid to education told of The Departments bid to double the Schools Rebuilding Programme in 2021. Knocked back by the then programme in 2021. Knocked back by the then chancellor, who instead of doubling the then chancellor, who instead of doubling it, almost halved it. Now, i spoke doubling it, almost halved it. Now, i spoke earlier of responsibility, and the i spoke earlier of responsibility, and the Secretary Of State was clear ust and the Secretary Of State was clear just a and the Secretary Of State was clear just a few and the Secretary Of State was clear just a few hours ago that she refuses just a few hours ago that she refuses to accept any responsibility. So, who on the government benches today will take responsibility for decision after decision responsibility for decision after decision to slash spending on School Safety . Decision to slash spending on School Safety . And while i think the Secretary Of State for having addressed some of the questions which addressed some of the questions which families across this country will have, which families across this country will have, im afraid there are many, will have, im afraid there are many, many more. Now, time is short, madam many, many more. Now, time is short, madam deputy speaker, so i will ask many madam deputy speaker, so i will ask many of madam deputy speaker, so i will ask many of them in writing, but i hope you will many of them in writing, but i hope you will be many of them in writing, but i hope you will be able to answer these questions, all of these unspun screens, questions, all of these unspun screens, and to answer them in full. All screens, and to answer them in full. All of screens, and to answer them in full. All of these screens, and to answer them in full. All of these questions. Why is she still all of these questions. Why is she still refusing to publish the list of she still refusing to publish the list of schools affected complete in full today . Why did the condition Data Collection survey between 2017 and 2019 Data Collection survey between 2017 and 2019 not look at more detail in these and 2019 not look at more detail in these issues . Will strategy does The Department had right now for the Wider Department had right now for the wider condition of System Build Schools wider condition of System Build Schools and other educational premises long past their designs life span . How many other educational settings are currently believed educational settings are currently believed or suspected by The Department contain raac, but it is yet to department contain raac, but it is yet to be department contain raac, but it is yet to be confirmed . Do Emergency Services yet to be confirmed . Do Emergency Services have the information they need, services have the information they need, should something go wrong . What is need, should something go wrong . What is the estimated timeline for completing the necessary repairs in affected completing the necessary repairs in affected schools . How long will students face disruption during this process . Students face disruption during this process . Which Capital Budgets are being process . Which Capital Budgets are being rated, and which priorities downgraded today, defines the works that are downgraded today, defines the works that are happening now . And what assessments have been made of the risk of assessments have been made of the risk of a assessments have been made of the risk of a raac failure in the context risk of a raac failure in the context where asbestos is also present . Are being raided. While there present . Are being raided. While there are present . Are being raided. While there are many more questions i can ask at there are many more questions i can ask at the there are many more questions i can ask at the most important, who in this government in the months ahead, will take this government in the months ahead, will take some responsibility for sorting will take some responsibility for sorting out the chaos our children face . Sorting out the chaos our children face . I sorting out the chaos our children face . , ~ sorting out the chaos our children face . ,. ,. ,. , face . I thank the honourable lady, and of course. Face . I thank the honourable lady, and of course, that face . I thank the honourable lady, and of course, that is face . I thank the honourable lady, and of course, that is me. Face . I thank the honourable lady, and of course, that is me. What and of course, that is me. What matters is what you do. When i was given more information, and had to consider the impact this would have an schools and children, i took action, even though it was politically difficult. Yesterday, when the honourable lady was asked about wales and raac, she waved away concerns, saying there was no problem. Why, because it is a Labour Government with labour policies. Today, to schools closed in wales just as they start their Surveying Programme. A Surveying Programme that we started in march, 2022. One is taking decisions and being honest with the public. 0ne is taking decisions and being honest with the public. One is trying to score political points. I answered the ladys question. The information will be provided this week. Will be provided this week. Order. That is enough. Will be provided this week. Order. That is enough. Secretary will be provided this week. Order. That is enough. Secretary of will be provided this week. Order. | that is enough. Secretary of state. Ithink that is enough. Secretary of state. I think i that is enough. Secretary of state. I think i answered that is enough. Secretary of state. I think i answered the that is enough. Secretary of state. I think i answered the honourable i i think i answered the honourable ladys question. The information will be published this week, and everything will be fully funded, with the mitigation and any revenue required under case by case basis, and also, the rebuilding of the schools. In terms of doing a good job, i make no apologies for praising the work of the Department For Education. Not my work, no, but the work of colleagues, of schools, or professionals who have helped to ensure we are not sending children back to schools without the guarantee they will be safe. I have a team is working for weeks, and all weekend, to get portakabins and find alternative sites to help put in place urgent mitigations. These people are doing a brilliantjob, and i want to save my thanks to them, each and every one of them. Thank you madam deputy speaker. My right honourable friend is absolutely right to put the safety of children first, and to be very cautious about the approach she has taking. I know from speaking to Head Teachers in my own constituency in basingstoke that her department has been been speaking to schools not just for weeks and months, but for years about a raac in their schools, and how to mitigate that. One of my schools in cranbourne and basingstoke has already got a plan in place with their department to get such problem resolved. But the new technical guidance is thrown up two suspected cases of raac in my constituency. Good my right honourable friend outlined for parents are quickly those suspicions will ever be confirmed or negated, so the schools can continue to fully function in the future . Flan so the schools can continue to fully function in the future . Function in the future . Can i thank my Honourable Function in the future . Can i thank my honourable friend. Function in the future . Can i thank my honourable friend. And function in the future . Can i thank my honourable friend. And also, l function in the future . Can i thank my honourable friend. And also, a local authority and her responsible bodies for responding to the questionnaire. Those that have suspected cases will be serving in the next few weeks, and at that point most of those that are surveyed and going to have raac, two thirds dont have raac mark we want to know exactly where it is and make sure we mitigate all those cases. ~ , make sure we mitigate all those cases. P , make sure we mitigate all those cases. P , cases. My dim deputy speaker, i think the secretary cases. My dim deputy speaker, i think the secretary for cases. My dim deputy speaker, i think the secretary for advanced | think the secretary for advanced site of think the secretary for advanced site of her think the secretary for advanced site of her statement the safety of children site of her statement the safety of children is site of her statement the safety of children is paramount and actions have children is paramount and actions have to children is paramount and actions have to be children is paramount and actions have to be taken urgently to resolve the situation. The chancellor suggested there would spend whatever it takes suggested there would spend whatever it takes to suggested there would spend whatever it takes to sort out the problem but treasury it takes to sort out the problem but Treasury Sources have admitted there will be Treasury Sources have admitted there will be no Treasury Sources have admitted there will be no new money to pay for remedial will be no new money to pay for remedial work with cash coming out of the remedial work with cash coming out of The Department from medications existing of The Department from medications existing budget, so maybe she can ive existing budget, so maybe she can give clarity existing budget, so maybe she can give clarity on that and given the existing give clarity on that and given the existing budget already stretched, what composition is she having with colleagues what composition is she having with colleagues to access additional funding . She mentioned evolved administrations and this is something clearly affecting buildings across the uk, the scottish buildings across the uk, the Scottish Government budget has already Scottish Government budget has already been cut, can she confirm there already been cut, can she confirm there will already been cut, can she confirm there will be additional but funding for the there will be additional but funding for the devolved administrations for that remedial Work Taking Place in these that remedial Work Taking Place in these jurisdictions . That remedial Work Taking Place in thesejurisdictions . Up that remedial Work Taking Place in these jurisdictions . Up to 1000 schools thesejurisdictions . Up to 1000 schools could be under problems that have yet schools could be under problems that have yet to schools could be under problems that have yet to be accessed, another report found that