Scots ministers knew about school concrete risks last year, says social justice secretary

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scottish ministers have been aware of the risks of collapse-prone concrete since last summer, Shirley-Anne Somerville said, as she pledged to be "open" with the public on concerns.The Social Justice Secretary confirmed officials from the Scottish Government had been communicating with local authorities since "way back in July 2022" to share information on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

It comes as a freedom of information request shows a document prepared by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service warning of potential "structural collapse" of hospitals, the "prevalence of asbestos in buildings of this age" and the "unknown performance" of the material in a fire.Somerville said the concrete has been detected in 37 schools in Scotland, however the impacted schools are not expected to close while a "desk-based review" is conducted over the coming months.

But 104 schools south of the border have been partially or fully closed following concerns about the material.Addressing MSPs in Holyrood during topical questions on Tuesday, Somerville said: "This has of course been an issue that the government has been aware of for some time, and that's why action has been taken, and has been for some time, for example way back in July 2022 Scottish Government officials made contact with the Scottish heads of Property Services and directors of education in Scotland to share information on Raac."The Social Justice Secretary also moved to reassure pupils, parents and teachers of where the concrete has been discovered, adding: "I can completely appreciate why there is public concern on this, particularly given the way that announcements have been handled down in England."But I can reassure the member that we appreciate that