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Evacuation Chairs: Schools and Colleges
01 December 2025
Lead MP
Jacob Collier
Burton and Uttoxeter
Lab
Responding Minister
Georgia Gould
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Word Count: 5001
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Jacob Collier raised concerns about evacuation chairs: schools and colleges in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Jacob Collier called for clearer legislation, mandatory training for staff in the use of evacuation chairs, and a single regulator tasked with assessing whether disabled pupils can be evacuated safely. He also highlighted that PEEPs are not legally mandated in schools despite being planned to become mandatory in residential buildings following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
More than 100,000 people signed the petition to ensure that disabled children can evacuate safely from their school in an emergency. Jacob Collier highlighted Lucas Vezza-O’Brien's experience during a fire at Hyde high school where he was left alone on an upper floor due to the lack of evacuation chairs and proper procedures.
Solihull West and Shirley
The hon. Member highlighted that current legislation, such as the stay-put policy from an outdated era—1962, does not recognise technological advancements in evacuation methods.
Jacob Collier
Lab
Uttoxeter
Thanked all Members for their participation in the debate and specifically thanked the Minister for her commitment to meet Lucas to hear his story. Noted the contrast in changes to personal evacuation plans following Grenfell, highlighted by the hon. Member for Twickenham.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He emphasised the importance of mandatory training for staff to ensure proper use and functionality of evacuation chairs during emergencies.
Twickenham
Thanked the petition signatories, including 65 from Twickenham... Highlighted Lucas's campaign and its impact... Called for mandatory PEEPs in schools.
Government Response
Georgia Gould
The Minister for School Standards
Government Response
Georgia Gould acknowledges the importance of the debate and congratulates Lucas on his leadership in bringing attention to this issue. She expresses willingness to meet with Lucas, his mum, and Jacob Collier to discuss ideas further. The minister reaffirms that schools are already subject to national health and safety legislation, fire safety legislation, and other statutory duties regarding use, access, and safety.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.