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Portsmouth MP: Government is failing to take proactive, responsible action on return to school

By 30 December 2020No Comments

Portsmouth South’s Stephen Morgan MP has criticised the government’s chaotic approach to the return to school in January.

The City MP blasted the government’s failure today to provide the clarity parents and children need after a statement in the House of Commons from Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, made at Labour’s urging.

Williamson announced that the government was triggering the ‘education contingency framework’ and pushing back the staggered return for secondary schools and colleges by one week.

However, he did not clarify in his statement to the House which schools will open and which will remain closed. He also failed to guarantee remote learning access for those students that need it and remained silent on any commitment to a staff vaccination programme.

Labour has also urged the Government to publish SAGE advice about the return of schools and colleges next week, after scientific advisers have said stricter restrictions, including school closures, may be needed. 

Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green MP, said: 

Parents, pupils and staff will be increasingly worried by the drip feed of media reports saying scientists have advised the closure of schools in January, yet the Prime Minister has failed to be clear about the advice he has received.

The education secretary must set out a plan for schools and colleges, and provide desperately needed leadership. He must also urgently publish the SAGE advice on schools.”

Responding to the Government’s statement today, Stephen Morgan MP, said:

“Coronavirus rates are rising, and parents, staff, pupils and our city’s schools are crying out for clarity about the start of term next week.

“The government is failing to take the proactive, responsible action parents and pupils need on the return to school in January. Sadly they got little comfort or much-needed leadership from the Education Secretary tonight.

“I have always been clear that keeping young people learning safely should be a priority for Ministers. But the government’s failures – with a lack of funding for school safety measures to the delayed and chaotic announcement of mass testing – are putting young people’s education in Portsmouth at risk.

“I will continue to listen to concerns and act on them in Parliament for the sake of our city’s children and dedicated school staff”.