Survey reveals a quarter of school staff work in unsafe, asbestos-filled buildings
A GMB poll of over 4,500 school support workers shows that about 25% are employed in schools with asbestos, damp or mould, and more than half report leaky roofs.
GMB surveyed more than 4,500 school support staff, uncovering that roughly one-quarter have worked in environments plagued by asbestos, dampness or mould, and a majority contend with leaking roofs. Additional findings include 44% reporting cracked walls, 17% lacking adequate textbooks and 28% missing pens, while 20% say their schools have no sports fields. Respondents also highlighted severe safety lapses, such as collapsed playground decking and roof failures that left classrooms flooded.
The data will be presented at the TUC’s Brighton conference, where a motion on support-staff wages will be discussed. Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, called for government investment in school infrastructure, citing the previous Labour Government’s approach. The union also urged an end to academisation and sought backing for a fair-pay campaign. Former Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had earlier pledged to remove unsafe reinforced autoclave aerated concrete from schools by the next election.
Why it matters
Unsafe school conditions jeopardize staff health and student safety, highlighting urgent infrastructure and funding needs.
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