A Guardian investigation has revealed that more than 1.5 million children in England are being educated in deteriorating school facilities, highlighting years of underinvestment that have left the nation’s public infrastructure in a dire state.
The study examined the condition of public sector buildings, including schools, hospitals, courts, and prisons, uncovering widespread issues requiring urgent repairs. In some cases, the conditions are so poor they pose a threat to life.
Shocking Examples of Neglect
In Cumbria, a school was evacuated after inspectors warned its floors could collapse imminently.
At a hospital in Sutton, investigators found windows held together with masking tape and mud seeping through floors.
Data compiled from multiple government departments for the first time has spurred demands for ministers to invest hundreds of millions of pounds to address the crisis.
Calls for Action
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the cross-party public accounts committee, criticised the government’s failure to prioritise maintenance, stating, “Some of our hospitals are in such a desperate state that floors cannot even bear the weight of patients.”
He added that neglecting public building maintenance as a non-urgent issue has led to spiralling costs.
A government spokesperson attributed the current state of disrepair to past administrations, asserting that immediate action is being taken to resolve the problem.
Decades of Underinvestment
Nick Davies, programme director at the Institute for Government, noted that deep budget cuts during the 2010s exacerbated an already poor track record of investment.
Departments have often diverted capital funds to cover shortfalls in day-to-day spending, leading to record maintenance backlogs and outdated facilities.
Critical Findings Across Sectors
Schools: One in six pupils attends a school in poor condition, with nearly half of these schools deemed unsafe or in need of major refurbishment. The Midlands was identified as the worst-affected region, with 30% of schools deemed unsafe or ageing.
The government’s school rebuilding programme has struggled, completing only 24 schools since its launch in 2022.
NHS: A third of NHS sites require urgent repairs to prevent major disruptions, injuries, or legal action.
The cost to address NHS maintenance issues has soared from £4.5bn in 2012 to £13.8bn in 2022, with £3bn classified as “high risk.”
Prisons: Over 20% of England and Wales prisons reported severe maintenance issues or inhumane conditions. Nearly 20,000 inmates were housed in such facilities as of October.
Courts: Internal modelling revealed that just 1% of court buildings in England were in good condition as of late October.
A Looming Crisis
The investigation suggests that previously identified problems, such as those related to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in schools, are merely the “tip of the iceberg.”
The state of public infrastructure remains a pressing issue that threatens both safety and service delivery across the country.
