It is not surprising that the schools facing closure due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) are all in the public sector, while the private fee-paying schools that the Tories enroll their children in remain unaffected (Schools in England seek alternative spaces amid fears concrete crisis could affect 1,000, 1 September). Despite being aware of this issue for five years, the government only took action at the last minute and at the most inconvenient time. From Grenfell to the Bibby Stockholm, the Tories continue to place the most vulnerable individuals in potentially life-threatening accommodations, showcasing a combination of malice and incompetence.
This pattern of malicious and incompetent governance has defined the government for the past 13 years. It is crucial that we not only drive the Tories out of office for the next five years, but also permanently, lest they return in the future as The Uncaring Conservatives in the Horrible Histories series.
The deteriorating state of concrete in schools, hospitals, and courts serves as a fitting metaphor for the neglect of basic public services under Tory rule. If the country were treated as their personal residence, they would invest in its maintenance. However, the Tories view the country as a playground for profit and market forces. I voiced these concerns to my wife and nine-year-old son during our car ride home, and my son suggested that I write to The Guardian. While I am unsure of the impact it will have, I am compelled to do so.
The privatisation of the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in 1997, a government body responsible for testing building materials, has come under scrutiny during the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry. It has been revealed that some BRE staff may have never received impartiality training. Given the current alarm surrounding Raac, there is a pressing need to establish an independent organisation separate from the building industry. In 2022, the Fire Brigades Union called for the renationalisation of the BRE.
The use of faulty concrete extends beyond schools and hospitals. It is peculiar that there is no mention of its presence in shopping centres, apartment complexes, multi-storey car parks, or office buildings in Canary Wharf (Manchester). This discrepancy raises questions.
While the concrete used in our schools crumbles after just 30 years, the Roman Colosseum, constructed with Roman concrete over 2,000 years ago, still stands (Highcliffe, Dorset). It seems we have failed to learn from history.
The fact that this concrete has an estimated lifespan of 30 years should have allowed sufficient time for planning ahead (London). It is concerning that such foresight was not demonstrated.
I enjoy reading your fantasy house hunt feature, but I need confirmation that the schools near the five houses featured in Saturday’s article are still operational (Portsmouth).
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