Almost a quarter of schools have failed to inform the Government how much asbestos is in their school buildings.

The report by the public accounts select committee has revealed that only 77% of schools have responded to the Department for Educations and it calls for the Government to name and shame any schools that fail to meet next months deadline – a deadline that has been extended several times.  Originally schools were to respond by May 2018.

The Asbestos in Schools Group estimates that almost 90% of the UK’s schools still contain asbestos.  Asbestos in schools pose a significant threat to teachers and pupils and it is estimated that on average 17 teachers die each year from mesothelioma.  Due to the long latency period of asbestos diseases the number of pupils that will suffer the same fate may not reveal itself for many years.