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Coronavirus: Key workers revealed ahead of school shutdown Coronavirus: Key workers revealed ahead of school shutdown
(32 minutes later)
Friday marks the last day at school for most children across the UK until further notice, in response to the escalating coronavirus outbreak. Friday is the last day at school for most children in England, Scotland and Wales until further notice, in response to the escalating coronavirus pandemic.
Schools in England, Scotland and Wales will close on Friday to everyone except vulnerable children, and those with a parent identified as a key worker. Schools will close to everyone except vulnerable children, and those with a parent identified as a key worker.
Schools in Northern Ireland will shut from Monday. A-level and GCSE exams are being cancelled, as well as Scottish highers.
A-level and GCSE exams, and primary school Sats - usually taken in May and June - have been cancelled. More than 65,000 retired doctors and nurses in England and Wales have been asked to return to work in the NHS to help tackle the outbreak.
Most local governments have indicated schools may not reopen properly until the end of the summer. And the chancellor is set to announce a wage subsidy package to try to protect millions of jobs.
The government has published a list of key workers whose children can still go to school if they cannot be looked after at home. These workers' jobs are considered "critical" for the response to the pandemic.The government has published a list of key workers whose children can still go to school if they cannot be looked after at home. These workers' jobs are considered "critical" for the response to the pandemic.
The list has been separated into eight categories, including frontline health workers and social care staff, nursery and teaching staff and those involved in food production and delivery.The list has been separated into eight categories, including frontline health workers and social care staff, nursery and teaching staff and those involved in food production and delivery.
It also includes the police, those in key public services, transport workers and critical staff in financial services and utilities.It also includes the police, those in key public services, transport workers and critical staff in financial services and utilities.
The list comes as an appeal is launched to ask more than 65,000 retired doctors and nurses in England and Wales to return to the NHS to help tackle the outbreak. Northern Ireland Education Minister Peter Weir has said all schools should be prepared to cater for key workers' children where schools shut across the region on Monday.
Meanwhile, the chancellor is set to announce a wage subsidy package to protect jobs later. Most local governments have indicated schools may not reopen properly until the end of the summer.
Who are "key workers"?Who are "key workers"?
The full list includes:The full list includes:
"If your work is critical to the Covid-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision," the government said."If your work is critical to the Covid-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision," the government said.
However it stressed that "every child who can be safely cared for at home should be" and asked workers to consult their employers to confirm whether "their specific role is necessary".However it stressed that "every child who can be safely cared for at home should be" and asked workers to consult their employers to confirm whether "their specific role is necessary".
Vulnerable children, who will also be exempt, include those who have a social worker and those with special educational needs. The Department for Education said it would help local authorities identify those "who most need support at this time".Vulnerable children, who will also be exempt, include those who have a social worker and those with special educational needs. The Department for Education said it would help local authorities identify those "who most need support at this time".
The government has encouraged local authorities to keep residential special schools and specialist colleges open wherever possible.The government has encouraged local authorities to keep residential special schools and specialist colleges open wherever possible.
School leaders said the list of key workers was "perhaps more extensive than we might have expected".School leaders said the list of key workers was "perhaps more extensive than we might have expected".
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools will be doing all they can so pupils who need to can still turn up to school after the weekend - but that more strategic planning will be needed in future, due to reduced staffing levels.Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools will be doing all they can so pupils who need to can still turn up to school after the weekend - but that more strategic planning will be needed in future, due to reduced staffing levels.
Confusion continues over how grades will be awarded in the light of the decision to cancel this summer's exam season.Confusion continues over how grades will be awarded in the light of the decision to cancel this summer's exam season.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has indicated guidance will be issued on Friday, adding the government would work with schools, colleges and England's exams regulator, Ofqual, "to ensure children get the qualifications they need".Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has indicated guidance will be issued on Friday, adding the government would work with schools, colleges and England's exams regulator, Ofqual, "to ensure children get the qualifications they need".
Retired medics appealRetired medics appeal
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said he hoped "many, many thousands will respond" to letters being sent to former doctors and nurses in England and Wales asking them to rejoin the NHS.Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said he hoped "many, many thousands will respond" to letters being sent to former doctors and nurses in England and Wales asking them to rejoin the NHS.
In Scotland, anyone who left the medical profession during the past three years has also been asked to consider returning.In Scotland, anyone who left the medical profession during the past three years has also been asked to consider returning.
Senior officials have said the ex-employees are needed to boost frontline services.Senior officials have said the ex-employees are needed to boost frontline services.
Asked when the former medics would be able to start, Mr Hancock told BBC Breakfast those who left most recently could return "straight away", while others will be given refresher training "over the next couple of weeks".Asked when the former medics would be able to start, Mr Hancock told BBC Breakfast those who left most recently could return "straight away", while others will be given refresher training "over the next couple of weeks".
Conservative MP Maria Caulfield, a former nurse, has said she will swap Westminster for the hospital ward - tweeting that it is "important we all help where we can".Conservative MP Maria Caulfield, a former nurse, has said she will swap Westminster for the hospital ward - tweeting that it is "important we all help where we can".
It comes as the government pledged to ensure that all hospitals have enough protective gear and ventilators, following concern workers were being put at risk by shortages.It comes as the government pledged to ensure that all hospitals have enough protective gear and ventilators, following concern workers were being put at risk by shortages.
Mr Hancock said 150 lorries had been dispatched overnight to get the equipment to about half the UK's hospitals, and pledged a lorry load would be sent to each before next week.Mr Hancock said 150 lorries had been dispatched overnight to get the equipment to about half the UK's hospitals, and pledged a lorry load would be sent to each before next week.
Asked about the number of ventilators in the UK, Mr Hancock said "no number is too big" and the government's appeal for manufacturers to make ventilators had received "thousands" of responses, including from Formula One.Asked about the number of ventilators in the UK, Mr Hancock said "no number is too big" and the government's appeal for manufacturers to make ventilators had received "thousands" of responses, including from Formula One.
Mr Hancock also responded to an emotional video appeal from a critical care nurse, asking people to stop panic-buying and leave goods for medical staff. The health secretary suggested supermarkets could consider dedicating a specific hour to key workers.Mr Hancock also responded to an emotional video appeal from a critical care nurse, asking people to stop panic-buying and leave goods for medical staff. The health secretary suggested supermarkets could consider dedicating a specific hour to key workers.
Elsewhere, the chancellor's wage package, due to be unveiled later on Friday, is the latest in a string of big fiscal attempts to ease the burden on businesses and their employees.Elsewhere, the chancellor's wage package, due to be unveiled later on Friday, is the latest in a string of big fiscal attempts to ease the burden on businesses and their employees.
Many firms are warning of collapse, wiping out thousands of jobs, as life in the UK is largely put on hold.Many firms are warning of collapse, wiping out thousands of jobs, as life in the UK is largely put on hold.
In other key developments in the UK:In other key developments in the UK:
In other key developments around the world:In other key developments around the world:
Do you work in healthcare? Or have you recently retired? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Do you work in healthcare? Or have you recently retired? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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