Priti Patel, Member of Parliament for Witham, has renewed her call for urgent action to address the ongoing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), as the issue approaches its three-year anniversary.
Since school buildings were forced to close as a precaution in autumn 2023, Priti has been working closely with affected schools across the Witham constituency to support headteachers, staff, pupils and parents, and to campaign for the investment needed to rebuild and make school environments safe. Six schools in the Witham constituency are currently included in the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme, with many projects still progressing through early stages of delivery.
In recent weeks, Priti has met directly with headteachers from across the constituency, alongside engaging with Essex County Council and the Department for Education, to discuss progress on the national RAAC remediation programme and the next steps for local schools.
These discussions have focused on ensuring that necessary works are delivered at pace, while minimising disruption to pupils’ education and maintaining high standards of safety and wellbeing for both students and staff.
Following discussions with schools affected, Priti Patel has written to the Secretary of State for Education to demand an update on progress and the funding commitments required to deliver the rebuilding works these schools urgently need.
Speaking following the meetings, Priti Patel MP said:
“As we approach the three-year anniversary of the RAAC issue, it is vital that there is a clear and deliverable plan in place to rebuild affected schools and restore certainty for pupils, parents and staff. I have been working directly with schools across my constituency to support them through this period and to ensure their voices are heard at every level of decision-making.
The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff must always come first, but we must also ensure that children’s education is protected and disruption is kept to an absolute minimum. I will continue to press the Government to deliver the funding, clarity and progress needed to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”
