This House notes:

• The widespread use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in public buildings including schools and hospitals, much of which is reaching or has exceeded its recommended service life
• The collapse of a RAAC ceiling panel previously deemed safe at a school in England, necessitating urgent closure of a number of school buildings across the UK.

This house recognises:

• The Government's support package worth £600mn, intended to dead with RAAC present in some school's
• The School Retrofitting Program implemented by the Magenta Government, and maintained in the Budget, worth £12bn per year
• That neither of these programs account for RAAC present in other public buildings.

This House urges that:

• The government to work with the opposition on plans to properly account for RAAC in all public buildings
• If required, the government should seek to amend the budget to include appropriate funding for dealing with RAAC in all public buildings

This bill motion submitted by The Rt Hon Dame ARichTeaBiscuit LT LD DCB OM DBE CMG OBE PC MP on behalf of the Official Opposition,

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

Within the past few weeks we have become increasingly aware of the dangers of RAAC and its prevalence in public buildings. Recently, the government has decided to make funds available to repair school's which are impacted by RAAC, however, in spite of questioning from the opposition the amount of support scheduled for hospitals and other public buildings impacted by RAAC has not been stated.

In spite of the potential dangers posed by the continued presence of RAAC in our hospitals and public buildings, and the possible delays which could be caused to ongoing treatment by hospitals forced to close rooms, the government has decided to press ahead with a budget that has no funding for RAAC repairs for these buildings.

By putting forward this ODD, the opposition hopes that the government engages proactively with those across the House and work to safeguard our public buildings.

This division will end on 18th September at 10pm BST.