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<p>It is the responsibility of those who run schools - academy trusts, Local Authorities
and voluntary aided school bodies - to manage the safety and maintenance of their
schools and to alert the Department if there is a serious concern with a building.
It has always been the case that where the Department is made aware of a building
that may pose an immediate risk, immediate action is taken.</p><p>The Department will
spend whatever it takes to keep children safe. Ministers and officials have regular
discussions with colleagues from HM Treasury on a range of issues.</p><p>The Department
is investing in improving the condition of the school estate, with over £15 billion
allocated since 2015, including £1.8 billion committed for 2023/24. This funding allocation
is informed by consistent data on the condition of the estate. On top of this, the
Department will transform 500 schools through its School Rebuilding Programme, prioritising
buildings in the poorest condition and those with evidence of potential safety issues.</p><p>The
Department takes the issue of asbestos in schools seriously, and is committed to supporting
schools, Local Authorities and academy trusts to fulfil their duty to manage asbestos
safely. The Department follows expert advice from the Health and Safety Executive;
as long as asbestos containing materials are in good condition, well protected either
by their position or physical protection, and are unlikely to be worked on, it is
usually safer to manage them in place. Condition funding allocated to the sector can
be used to remove asbestos when required. The Department provides additional support
on a case by case basis, where there are serious issues with buildings that cannot
be managed by responsible bodies independently.</p><p>The Department will always put
the safety and wellbeing of children and staff in education settings at the heart
of its policy decisions.</p><p> </p><p><strong><br> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p>
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