Tories now neck and neck with Labour, poll suggests

THE TORIES and Labour are neck and neck in a new opinion poll.

The snapshot survey by Opinium puts both parties on 40 per cent each when it comes to voting intentions.

It marks the first time the Conservatives have not been ahead of Labour in an Opinium survey for 13 months.

Nearly half of voters, 47 per cent, disapprove of the Government’s handling of coronavirus, compared to less than a third, 31 per cent, who approve, according to the poll.

With English schools reopening next week, 63 per cent of parents with school age children say it is safe for primary schools to do so.

And 60 per cent back pupils returning to secondary schools.

But pupils aged 14- 15 appear most concerned about returning to class as 45 per cent of parents with children in this age group say their child is worried, against to 48 per cent who say they are not.

More than half of adults surveyed, 52 per cent, support making face masks compulsory for children in school, with 22 per cent neither supporting nor opposing, and 19 per cent against such a move.

When it comes to the parents of school age children, 42 per cent back the idea, and 22 per cent oppose it.

The survey has bad news for embattled Education Secretary Gavin Williamson as 48 per cent disapprove of the way he is handling his job, and 40 per cent say he is most responsible for the recent exam results controversy.

Opinium carried out an online survey of 2,002 UK adults between August 26- 28.