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<p>Buildings erected from 2000 have not used asbestos in their construction. Most
older buildings will still have asbestos present in them, although some have undertaken
asbestos removal programmes.</p><p> </p><p>Asbestos ‘dutyholders’ for schools, who
usually include local authorities and academy trusts, must comply with the Control
of Asbestos Regulations 2012. These require dutyholders to have a robust asbestos
management plan, train staff, and maintain an asbestos register detailing location,
type, and condition of asbestos in their buildings.</p><p> </p><p>The department takes
the safety of children and those who work with them incredibly seriously, which is
why we expect all local authorities, governing bodies and academy trusts to have robust
plans in place to manage asbestos in school buildings effectively, in line with their
legal duties.</p><p> </p><p>The asbestos management assurance process (AMAP) was a
survey launched by the department in March 2018 to understand the steps schools and
those responsible for their estate were taking to manage asbestos.</p><p> </p><p>Data
published in 2019 reflecting returns from 88.4% of schools showed that 80% of schools
had some asbestos present in their estate. The department can confirm that from responses
captured, the position in Harrow schools suggests a slightly lower percentage than
the national picture, though we continue to gather data in this area through the Condition
Data Collection 2 (CDC2) programme. The 2019 AMAP report is available at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f28153ed3bf7f1b17facda7/AMAP_Report_2019.pdf"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f28153ed3bf7f1b17facda7/AMAP_Report_2019.pdf</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>The department expects current percentages to reduce over time as schools are
rebuilt or refurbished, and asbestos is removed. Information on how schools are managing
asbestos is now being collected via the department’s CDC2 programme, which started
in 2021 and will complete in 2026, and is expected to cover all state-funded schools.</p><p>
</p><p>The department follows the Health and Safety Executive’s advice that, provided
asbestos-containing materials are in good condition, and unlikely to be disturbed,
it is generally safest to manage them in place. Where asbestos-containing materials
are likely to be disturbed by maintenance works or daily use of the building, and
cannot be easily protected, schools should have them removed.</p><p> </p>
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