Asbestos in 58% of Greater Manchester schools
Fifty-eight of schools in Greater Manchester have asbestos on their premises, JMW Solicitors has found.
A Freedom of Information Request (FoI) submitted to Manchester councils by JMW Solicitors revealed that 380 schools of the 652 asked could potentially contain asbestos.
Advice from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is to manage asbestos-containing materials that are in ‘good condition and are unlikely to be damaged or disturbed’. However, the National Education Union favours removal and it ‘does not agree that it is preferable to leave asbestos-containing materials in place and seek to manage them’.
However, the NEU states that since 1980, at least 319 school teachers have died from mesothelioma, with 205 of those deaths occurring since 2001.
The substance was banned from use in construction in 1999, but was regularly utilised in buildings up to this date, with many system-built schools using structural columns that were fire-proofed with asbestos-containing materials.
Abigail Morrison, Senior Associate Solicitor at JMW Solicitors, said: “Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres can have devastating impacts on the health and wellbeing of those affected. Although schools built after 2000 will not contain the substance, local authorities have a duty to carry out annual checks on those at risk.”
Asbestos gives off tiny fibres that can be breathed in and remain in the lungs for long periods after exposure, potentially leading to asbestos-related diseases.
Latest News
28/04/2026 - 09:56
A new survey by the British Council has revealed that more than two thirds (67%) of primary school age children say they would like to spend more time at school learning a language.
28/04/2026 - 09:38
A survey by school leaders’ union NAHT has found that 51% of its members had buildings or areas that were out of use or not fit for purpose.
27/04/2026 - 09:45
Forty-four per cent of education professionals are unfamiliar with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, otherwise known as Martyn’s Law, according to new research.
24/04/2026 - 12:32
A survey by Save My Exams has found that 40% of students are regularly disrupted by noise at home.
23/04/2026 - 10:13
A survey of 1,105 teachers reveals many senior leaders reporting cuts to teaching assistants (71%), support staff (49%) and teaching staff (30%).
