Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information his Department holds on levels of asbestos in schools in (a) Barnsley and (b) South Yorkshire.

The Department started to collect data on asbestos management in schools in 2016. All state-funded schools in England were invited to participate in the voluntary data collection and 25% responded. In February 2017, the findings were published in a report on GOV.UK. Of those taking part, 83% reported that asbestos was present in their school estate. It should be noted, however, that as this was only a proportion of state-funded schools, the responses may not be representative of all schools. The report does not provide information at local level.

In March 2018, the Department launched a second data collection, the Asbestos Management Assurance Process. This was launched to help develop a more comprehensive understanding of asbestos management in the school estate. This data collection has just closed and responses are being analysed. The Department intends to publish the findings from this report in spring 2019.

To help local authorities, governing bodies and academy trusts to meet their legal duties and manage asbestos effectively, the Department refers to advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and also published 'Asbestos Management in Schools' guidance, in February 2017. The HSE advice is clear that if asbestos is unlikely to be damaged or disturbed, then it is best managed in situ. Although, the Department is also clear that when asbestos does pose a risk to safety and cannot be effectively managed in situ, it should be removed.

Since 2015, the Department has allocated £6 billion to those responsible for school buildings, for essential maintenance and improvements, including removing or encapsulating asbestos when it is the safest course of action to do so. In addition, through the Priority School Building Programme, the Department is rebuilding or refurbishing buildings in the worst condition in over 500 schools across the country. Asbestos was a factor in selecting buildings for the programme.