MPs: ‘Expert advice taken’

The MP for Peterborough has called for the city’s schools to re-open on June 1.

Paul Bristow said disadvantaged children will suffer the longer they have to wait to return to the classroom.

And he hit out at the “blanket, knee-jerk opposition from Labour” over the issue.

Some Labour-controlled councils, including Liverpool, Hartlepool and Gateshead, have said they will not open up their schools from June 1.

However, the timeframe for re-opening has sparked a fierce national debate over whether it is safe for young children to return to the classroom in ‘bubbles’ of up to 15 due to a lack of social distancing.

Conservative Mr Bristow said: “Our children’s education has been hit as a result of the lockdown, and if it goes on it’s the most disadvantaged children in Peterborough who will suffer the most.

“Private schools are going back. Children in other countries are already back. Our city’s schools and teachers have done an excellent job in lockdown looking after some of the most vulnerable children who rely on free school meals. But it’s right that our kids now start going back to their schools from June. This involves lots of precautions and starts with specific year groups. The blanket, kneejerk opposition from Labour is completely wrong. It fails our teachers who want to get on and teach, as well as our most vulnerable children.”

MP for North West Cambridgeshire Shailesh Vara said: “The safety of children, teaching and all other staff is of course very important and there will be no penalty for families who do not send their children to school. In proposing a return to school, however, it is important to remember that the Government has been guided by expert advice. That is why the return will be phased with smaller classes. I know the staff of local schools have worked incredibly hard in these difficult times to provide learning from home and they deserve huge credit for all their work. But nothing compares to face-toface time with a teacher in the classroom and that is why we need to make a start to returning to school and it is proposed to do so in a phased and measured way.”