Second vote of no confidence in ‘failing’ Gove

Its conference was told 253 teachers have died from mesothelioma since 1980.

General Secretary Christine Blower said: “Since knowledge and science are incomplete in terms of the vulnerability of children to asbestos exposure, this motion calls for a precautionary approach to be adopted with schools being acknowledged as ‘unique workplaces’.

“Surely the lives of pupils and school staff are more important than the cost of asbestos removal from our schools?”

She said data on asbestos in schools should be collected across all local authorities.