Ministers face calls to explain delay in closing schools over concrete crisis

Labour calls for audit of handling of longstanding safety fears as government pledges to fund repairs expected to cost at least 100m

Headteachers are racing to find temporary classrooms for thousands of children amid a growing building safety crisis that has left ministers under pressure to explain why they were slow to shut buildings in more than 100 schools.

With the new academic year due to start next week, Labour demanded an urgent audit of the government's handling of longstanding safety fears about aerated concrete found in the roofs, floors and walls of hundreds of schools, hospitals and other public buildings.