‘Tell us which schools could collapse’: Labour will force ministers to reveal data

Hazard tape on a set of school windows – but the wider condition of school buildings in England is being kept under wraps. Photograph: Jim Wileman

Ministers sparked a furious row over the safety of thousands of dilapidated school buildings in England on Saturday night by abandoning the imminent publication of data showing those judged to be most at risk of collapse.

Labour responded to the U-turn by saying it would use a rare parliamentary device to force publication of the documents about the perilous state of many schools across England, so that parents can judge whether it is safe to send their children to classes.