While last month’s notices of school closures amid concerns about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) came as a shock to those affected, the construction industry – and the government – has long been aware of its limitations. 

In 2022, the government went as far as to issue a safety alert on the dangers posed by the material. Furthermore, the Department for Education’s 2021/22 annual report placed the risk of collapse as “very likely” during the course of that year. Despite these concerns, no action was taken until September 2023, just days before the new school year began.

In the wake of the cladding crisis and the decision to pursue developers to secure the capital required to fund the necessary remediation works, there are concerns in the construction industry about who will pay for this latest crisis.

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