Commenting on significant remarks made by HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon to the Work and Pensions Committee on 5 February, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"For decades there has been no acknowledgement by either HSE or Government that removal of asbestos should be the goal. The ambition to remove it entirely from all public buildings is very welcome.
"This is only a start, and there is a long way to go. We need to see a timeframe and much firmer commitments. Most schools still contain asbestos and every day that passes means that children and staff remain at risk of developing asbestos-related disease.
"We are hugely grateful to Sir Stephen Timms for all his efforts in this area. The 2022 report that was published by the Work and Pensions Committee, while he was chair, examining the HSE’s approach to asbestos management, has laid the groundwork for this apparent shift. The NEU will continue to make the case for a phased removal of asbestos from all our education buildings to begin as soon as possible."
Editor’s Note