By Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman – UK RAAC Campaign Group
We have received a significant update regarding our petition (P-06-1549) calling for urgent support for homeowners in Hirwaun affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
In a formal response to Carolyn Thomas MS, Chair of the Senedd Petitions Committee, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, has confirmed that she has written directly to the UK Housing Minister, Samantha Dixon MP, to seek support for Welsh residents impacted by RAAC.
This marks an important escalation of our campaign.
Welsh Government Engages UK Government
In her letter, Jayne Bryant MS confirmed:
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Wilson Chowdhry had contacted her directly requesting that the matter be raised with the UK Government.
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She has now written to the UK Housing Minister to seek support for Welsh residents affected by RAAC.
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The Hirwaun estate is currently the only residential estate in Wales that the Welsh Government is aware of as being impacted by RAAC.
This development is significant for two reasons.
First, it demonstrates that the Welsh Government recognises the seriousness of the issue and accepts that UK Government engagement may be necessary to secure meaningful financial assistance.
Second, it places the Hirwaun crisis firmly on the intergovernmental agenda — moving the issue beyond correspondence and into formal dialogue between Cardiff Bay and Westminster.
What This Means for Homeowners
While this letter does not yet provide funding commitments, it represents tangible political movement.
Our petition specifically called for:
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Exploration of financial support mechanisms similar to previous PRC housing grant schemes.
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Clarification of the extent of RAAC in Welsh homes.
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Engagement with the UK Government on a coordinated response.
The Cabinet Secretary’s action directly addresses the second and third of these objectives. For the first time, there is now formal Welsh Government communication with the UK Housing Minister regarding support for Welsh RAAC homeowners.
This is not the end of the process — but it is progress.
The Importance of the “Only Estate in Wales” Statement
The letter also states that the Hirwaun estate is the only one in Wales currently known to be affected by RAAC.
This makes the situation both more urgent and more manageable:
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Urgent — because a small number of affected households should make targeted intervention more feasible.
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Manageable — because the scale of the issue in Wales is limited compared to other parts of the UK.
If Wales has only one confirmed RAAC estate, there can be no justification for inaction.
The Petition Remains Open
Our petition remains open until 12 November 2025.
The Senedd Petitions Committee is awaiting further responses, and continued public support strengthens the case for:
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A full Senedd debate;
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Clear funding pathways;
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A fair and consistent approach aligned with support offered elsewhere in the UK.
Every additional signature reinforces the message that homeowners should not be left to shoulder the burden of systemic construction failures alone.
A Message from Wilson Chowdhry
“We welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s decision to raise this matter directly with the UK Housing Minister. This is a positive and necessary step forward.
However, letters must now lead to action. Homeowners in Hirwaun continue to face uncertainty and potentially devastating repair costs. The fact that this appears to be the only affected estate in Wales should make a targeted support package both achievable and urgent.
We will continue to press both the Welsh and UK Governments until a fair solution is secured.”
📧 Email: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/WilsonChowdhry
#RAACScandal #Petition2113 #ScottishParliament #SupportRAACVictims #EndTheSilence
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