Levelling Up Committee Chair writes to Government on RAAC housing risks

Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has written to Lee Rowley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Local Government and Building Safety) to request an update on the Department’s assessment of the risk of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in social and private housing.

The move comes after the start of the new school year in England was severely disrupted by the Government’s decision to close some buildings due to safety concerns and ordered an urgent review of school estates around the country.

The issue of RAAC in public buildings has since widened, with the likes of RIBA and the LGA criticising the Government for ignoring warnings for so many years and calling on ministers to take urgent action to assess the scale of the problem.

And the Construction Leadership Council has put together an expert task force, offering the Government specialist advice on ways to mitigate the RAAC issues.

Now Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee, said: “There are well-publicised concerns about the use of RAAC in public buildings such as schools and hospitals but there is also concern about the use of RAAC in housing.

“It’s important the Government spells out its assessment of the risk in residential buildings, in social housing and local authorities’ estates and what guidance it is giving to residents and landlords on the risk of RAAC.”

The Committee’s correspondence asks a series of questions, including regarding the Government guidance provided to residents and landlords and on what funding will be made available to mitigate the risk of RAAC in social housing and local authorities’ estates.