Levelling Up Committee seeks clarity from Government on RAAC risks in housing sector

The Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee, Clive Betts MP, has written to the Government to request an update on its assessment of the risk of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) in social and private housing.

In a letter addressed to Lee Rowley MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Local Government and Building Safety), Betts wrote: “Following the Department for Education’s publication of updated guidance on the risk of RAAC in schools and colleges, I would be grateful for an update on the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ assessment of the risk of RAAC.”

RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete which was used in schools, colleges and other building construction from the 1950s until the mid-1990s.

Earlier this month, the Government announced that school buildings made with the material should close immediately over concerns of sudden collapse.

The Regulator of Social Housing has since written to all registered social housing providers in England, urging them to check that their buildings do not contain RAAC.

The LUHC 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.

The letter requests a response to the six questions by 19 September.

Clive Betts 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.”

Lottie Winson