The British government is taking swift action to address safety concerns in schools across the country after over 100 schools were ordered to shut down certain buildings due to old and crumbling concrete. Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt has promised to fix the unsafe infrastructure quickly and assured that the majority of the affected schools will be able to operate normally. Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a lightweight form of concrete commonly used in construction during the 1960s-80s, has now been deemed weaker than traditional concrete and poses a serious safety risk.

This last-minute decision to vacate affected buildings just before the start of the new term has angered parents and educators. The government's quick response to address the issue is seen as an attempt to ease public concerns about the state of public infrastructure. As the country gears up for an expected election next year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces added pressure amidst disruptive industrial action across healthcare, education, and transport. The opposition Labour Party's education spokesperson, Bridget Phillipson, criticized the government's handling of the situation, accusing them of neglecting the issue over the summer. The ongoing asbestos problem in schools, believed to be present in some of the affected buildings, further complicates the matter.

While the government has not released a list of the affected schools, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan assured that parents would be directly contacted. This lack of transparency has led to calls for more information regarding the extent of the consequences of RAAC in public buildings. RAAC, described as "80 percent air," was widely used in the construction of roofs, schools, colleges, and other buildings between the 1950s and mid-1990s. Its lifespan is estimated to be around 30 years. The government's ongoing efforts to address the RAAC and asbestos issues aim to ensure the safety of every child in the country.