UK RAAC Campaign Group Launches Impact Survey Ahead of Key Meeting with Scottish Government

Hannah and Wilson Chowdhry outside Aberdeen City Council

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Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, has launched an impact survey to capture the experiences of homeowners and their friends and supporters affected by the ongoing RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) crisis. The findings will be presented to the Scottish Government during a pivotal meeting at St Andrews House at 12 pm on 14th January.

During the meeting, Mr. Chowdhry and Fiona Crichton, Secretary of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, will advocate for a grant to support families facing the threat of bankruptcy and homelessness due to no fault of their own. They will highlight the moral obligation of the Scottish Government to address the plight of over a thousand affected homeowners.

The survey results will be shared with Khalida Hussain of the Housing Standards & Quality Team and three of her colleagues. Homeowners are urged to complete the survey before 14th January to ensure their voices are heard.

Fiona Crichton, Secretary of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, stated:

"It is deeply disappointing that meaningful engagement by the Government with those affected by the RAAC crisis has taken so long to materialize. The noticeable bureaucratic indifference to this issue has created a stark dissonance between how the Government and local authorities perceive this crisis and the devastating reality faced by homeowners."

She added: "Our aim is to bring empathy and a sense of moral responsibility into the conversation. These are not just houses; they are people’s homes, lives, and futures at stake. We hope to bridge this gap and push for urgent action that prioritizes the well-being of those who have been left to bear the brunt of systemic failures."

Background

The homes in question were sold under the Government's Right to Buy Scheme, with local authorities approving the use of RAAC due to its lower cost and faster installation compared to traditional materials. However, evidence of RAAC's structural issues surfaced during the construction phase, halting its use in England after a pilot project in Basildon. Despite this, RAAC homes continued to be sold in Scotland, often in areas with high deprivation indices.

Failures to address damp and other maintenance issues further compounded the risks, and local authorities offloaded these liabilities onto unsuspecting buyers. The Scottish Government did not act on early warnings, including the demolition of Basildon RAAC homes in the 1990s and 86 homes in Deans South in 2004.

Mr. Chowdhry and Ms. Crichton will emphasize these failures, calling for a National Fund to assist struggling homeowners and a public inquiry into the use and maintenance of RAAC.

Litigation and Advocacy Efforts

The group is actively pursuing legal options, with a prominent Scottish law firm conducting a pro-bono review of sample cases to assess the viability of a no-win, no-fee negligence claim. The firm stated:

"Based on the information provided, we can identify some theoretical grounds for a negligence claim. However, this is not straightforward. We would need to examine sample cases in detail to evaluate the feasibility of a claim and determine whether we could assist on a no-win, no-fee basis.

If you would like us to explore the possibility of a compensation claim, we would be happy to review the sample cases pro bono. Following this review, we can confirm whether this is something we could pursue for the RAAC Campaign Group on a no-win, no-fee basis. To proceed, we would require your assistance in providing information and documentation for a few sample cases.”

Mr. Chowdhry is collaborating with RAAC groups nationwide to gather the necessary information and documentation to support the solicitors' review process.

Today, Mr. Chowdhry and Deputy Chair Kerry Mackintosh joined dozens of protestors outside Dundee City Council chambers. They are seeking a discussion on RAAC in a full council meeting. Despite reaching out to all councillors in Dundee, no motion has been tabled to enable public participation on the matter.

Kerry Mackintosh, Deputy Chair of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, stated:

"As someone born in Dundee, I am deeply disgusted by the complete lack of action from Dundee councillors regarding the RAAC crisis. It is appalling that homeowners were left to fend for themselves until our campaign group stepped in to help them form a local support network. This failure to engage with affected residents reflects a shocking disregard for the well-being of the community."

She continued: "It is despicable that, to this day, no councillor has tabled a motion to address RAAC in a full council meeting. Local people have an unfettered right to participate in decisions that affect their lives, particularly when those decisions—or lack thereof—leave them facing such dire consequences. Dundee’s leaders must do better; their constituents deserve nothing less."

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, stated:

"The prospect of litigation offers a glimmer of hope for homeowners who have been left in financial ruin due to systemic failures in the use and maintenance of RAAC. While legal action is complex and uncertain, we are determined to explore every avenue to secure justice and accountability for those affected. The support of a leading Scottish law firm in reviewing these cases pro bono is a significant step forward."

He added: "Our meeting with the Scottish Government is a critical opportunity to highlight the devastating human impact of this crisis. We will urge them to take immediate action by establishing a National Fund to assist struggling families and committing to a full public inquiry. The lives and livelihoods of thousands of homeowners hang in the balance, and we cannot allow their suffering to continue unnoticed."

Call to Action

The UK RAAC Campaign Group urges affected homeowners to complete the impact survey and join their efforts to demand justice and accountability. The group remains committed to ensuring that the voices of RAAC-affected families are heard and that the systemic failures leading to this crisis are addressed.

Please complete our impact survey (here)