Help Talking-up Scotland keep going

Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421

BBC Reporting Scotland Down today are back in Aberdeen, meeting folk who should really be suing the engineers who did the report upon which a mortgage lender lent them money to buy their RAAC council house, at a knock-down price thanks to the Tories and Labour back in the 20th C., before the SNP put an end to the taxpayer rip-off scheme in 2016.

They interview a young man who has clearly played poker before and likes it there, he says. ‘Make me an offer?’

What do he and they want?

Regardless of the above errors, they want the taxpayer to pick up the tab for their dodgy dealing and, perhaps, failure to maintain their own property.

However, it’s even more of a scam than that.

The houses are or should be fine assuming the RAAC was properly maintained.

Is RAAC crumbling inevitable?

From Chris Goodier, professor of construction engineering and materials at Loughborough University in the Guardian 6 September 2023:

As a professor of construction engineering and materials at Loughborough University, I’ve been studying Raac in buildings in Britain – mainly in the NHS – for several years now. It has been on many people’s radar for a while. Over the past few days there have been many somewhat overblown ideas circulating about the dangers of Raac: that it is a fundamentally flawed material, that it only lasts a few decades, or that it is something like “an Aero bar” in terms of strength. These are worth pushing back on.

 There is nothing in our research that has suggested Raac immediately fails after 30 years, or that it is a uniquely dangerous material. TV clips of Raac pieces being snapped in half are unhelpful. No material or building lasts for ever, and much depends on how it has been manufactured, installed and maintained, and how it is used. Our research suggests that properly maintained Raac can easily last 50 years, and should be able to carry on for several decades after that. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/06/raac-isnt-always-dangerous-bad-news-not-just-in-schools

Help Talking-up Scotland keep going

Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421

What is the current situation?

From the Scottish Government in 2024:

Mitigations like reinforcements and monitoring have been implemented, with no immediate safety threats reported. The Scottish Government and NHS boards emphasize that while RAAC requires ongoing management—such as regular surveys, propping, or eventual removal—there is currently no evidence of imminent collapse in these hospitals. Remedial work is funded from existing budgets, with a national program guided by the Institution of Structural Engineers recommending risk-based actions like annual monitoring for stable panels. Unlike some English cases, no Scottish hospitals have been closed due to RAAC as of mid-2024, but the issue remains a priority for long-term eradication. https://www.gov.scot/publications/raac-in-the-public-sector/pages/sector-responses/

Is the above because building regulations are more stringent in Scotland?

Yes, Scotland’s system is distinct, with a stronger emphasis on mandatory compliance with technical standards, whereas England’s Approved Documents are more advisory, allowing ‘flexibility.’ Grenfell would be an example of that ‘flexibility.’

Scotland requires a building warrant before construction begins, with local authorities verifying compliance at multiple stages. This pre-approval process is more rigorous than England’s, where private building control bodies can be used, potentially leading to inconsistencies. Grenfell would be an example of an ‘inconsistency.’

Scotland’s regulations place greater emphasis on climate resilience, such as designing for extreme weather (e.g., flooding, high winds) due to its harsher climate. This includes stricter drainage and structural requirements compared to England. https://www.nicholsonnairn.co.uk/post/scottish-building-standards-vs-english-building-regulations

Help Talking-up Scotland keep going

Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421