Parents told ‘don’t worry’ as schools forced to close over crumbling concrete

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Parents have been told not to “worry” as schools across the country have been forced to close over crumbling concrete. “It’s 156 out of our 22,000 schools, so for most people, you won’t be affected.” However, the number of schools affected could still rise as newly issued government guidance set out plans to survey all schools suspected of suffering similar problems within “weeks”. Email us at [email protected] Meanwhile, the National Education Union criticised the government for expecting schools to pay for emergency temporary accommodation themselves after its “shocking neglect of school buildings.” General secretary Daniel Kebede said: “It is absolutely disgraceful, and a sign of gross government incompetence, that a few days before the start of term, 104 schools are finding out that some or all of their buildings are unsafe and cannot be used. “To add insult to injury the government states in its guidance that it will not be covering the costs of emergency temporary accommodation or additional transport.” Union Unison described the situation “nothing short of a scandal”, saying the “eleventh-hour” decision would create “turmoil.” “To wait until the eleventh hour as schools are preparing for a new academic year will create turmoil for thousands of families.