Cole-Hamilton calls for ministerial statement on dangerous concrete

Ahead of Parliament returning next week, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called on ministers to deliver a statement to MSPs addressing the presence of dangerous concrete in public sector buildings and committing to a national fund to assist with its removal.

At the beginning of the year, NHS Scotland issued a safety action notice, warning that roofs, walls and flooring made of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) are at “risk of catastrophic structural failure” which could occur “suddenly” and “without warning.”

In June, Mr Cole-Hamilton called on the First Minister to set up a fund to support councils and health boards in removing the material from buildings such as schools and hospitals after his party uncovered that RAAC was present in at least four health boards and 37 schools across Scotland.

In July, it was reported that pupils at Cramond and Trinity primary schools in Edinburgh will be taught in portable classroom units following the discovery of RAAC. In August, Perth and Kinross Council and Moray Council announced work to remove RAAC panels from local schools.  

Subsequently Scottish Liberal Democrats revealed that West Lothian and East Lothian councils had indicated to the Scottish Government that tackling the use of RAAC in their buildings could cost more than £80m. The party also revealed that it will take NHS Scotland 6-8 months to assess the prevalence of RAAC in its boards, but that practical work to do this has yet to be done.  

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:  

“The sheer enormity of this problem is becoming ever-clearer. That is exactly why I raised RAAC with Humza Yousaf before the summer, and it is exactly why I am doing so again as Parliament returns.  

“We know that this potentially fatal concrete is above patients and pupils. It has already led to a school roof collapsing in England.  

“Huge sums of money are going to be necessary to make buildings safe.

“It is paramount that this SNP/Green government treat the situation with the seriousness it requires. That must begin with a statement to Parliament next week setting out how ministers will support cash-strapped schools, universities, hospitals and more identify buildings at risk and cope with any necessary remedial works.

“This will be a painstaking but essential process- the Scottish Government must get to grips with it fast.”