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Long-delayed asbestos report does not go far enough, campaigners warn

Ministers bowed to pressure from campaigners and teachers' leaders last week and finally published their long-awaited report into asbestos management in schools – eight months later than originally scheduled.

The Department for Education (DfE) had come under increasing fire from campaigning groups and the unions after apparently stalling attempts to release the report, entitled The Management of Asbestos in Schools.

Asked during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday (March 11) when the findings would be released, David Cameron replied "in due course".

But just a day later the DfE published the report, which called for greater transparency from schools and local authorities about how asbestos is managed.

The review heard evidence that the amount of asbestos in UK schools is among the worst in the world. One of the reasons for this is because Britain imported more amosite, which was used in walls, ceilings and in window and door frames. This was vulnerable to damage and the emission of particles into the air.

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