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Coronavirus: Ministers under pressure over schools return date Coronavirus: Ministers under pressure over schools return date
(about 3 hours later)
Ministers are facing pressure from councils and teaching unions to reconsider plans to reopen English primary schools to some pupils from 1 June.Ministers are facing pressure from councils and teaching unions to reconsider plans to reopen English primary schools to some pupils from 1 June.
At least 11 councils have expressed concerns over safety and timing.At least 11 councils have expressed concerns over safety and timing.
Teaching union NASUWT said it remained "unconvinced" reopening schools was "appropriate or practicable".Teaching union NASUWT said it remained "unconvinced" reopening schools was "appropriate or practicable".
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said No 10 was taking all concerns "very seriously".Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said No 10 was taking all concerns "very seriously".
He told BBC Breakfast that 1 June was "an important date for everyone to work towards" but he said the government accepted there may be "issues" from employers that need to be addressed "which might not mean that we'll see a uniform approach".He told BBC Breakfast that 1 June was "an important date for everyone to work towards" but he said the government accepted there may be "issues" from employers that need to be addressed "which might not mean that we'll see a uniform approach".
For most pupils, schools have been closed since 20 March.For most pupils, schools have been closed since 20 March.
From 1 June, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 in England will be able to return to school if infection rates and the government's other tests at the time allow it. England is the only UK nation to set a return date so far.From 1 June, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 in England will be able to return to school if infection rates and the government's other tests at the time allow it. England is the only UK nation to set a return date so far.
Schools in Wales will not reopen on 1 June, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland may not restart before the summer holidays.Schools in Wales will not reopen on 1 June, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland may not restart before the summer holidays.
But on Tuesday, Calderdale Council, in West Yorkshire, followed Bury, Liverpool and Hartlepool and advised its schools against wider reopening.But on Tuesday, Calderdale Council, in West Yorkshire, followed Bury, Liverpool and Hartlepool and advised its schools against wider reopening.
Other local authorities expressed concern:Other local authorities expressed concern:
A number of the 153 English local authorities have acknowledged safety concerns but have not urged all their schools to reject the proposed timeframe.A number of the 153 English local authorities have acknowledged safety concerns but have not urged all their schools to reject the proposed timeframe.
Academies have the freedom to make their own decision, unlike the two thirds of primary schools supported by local authorities.Academies have the freedom to make their own decision, unlike the two thirds of primary schools supported by local authorities.
Analysis by Leila Nathoo, BBC Political Correspondent
The government's plan to reopen primary schools to some year groups was a key part of the strategy for getting the country to take the next steps out of lockdown. But it's run into fierce opposition.
Persuading people that it's safe to begin thinking about the path back towards normality was always going to be a challenge.
And Downing Street is stressing that 1 June was only put forward as the earliest possible date for any reopening of schools (and non-essential retail, set for the same day) - conditional on the five tests for controlling the virus being met.
But the admission from cabinet minister Robert Buckland that the picture across the country might not be "uniform" - is a reminder that the government in Westminster is not ultimately in control of what happens in schools across the country next month.
And it's problematic for ministers that a key date for adjustment to restrictions - albeit one that came with caveats - is now in question.
There is already variation between the nations on when schools will return - now there's likely to be differences across England too.
Emma Knights, the chief executive of the National Governance Association, which advises school governors, told the BBC it would be hard for governors to ignore the position of their local authorities.Emma Knights, the chief executive of the National Governance Association, which advises school governors, told the BBC it would be hard for governors to ignore the position of their local authorities.
She said as councils might be legally judged the employers of school staff, governors would need a very strong reason to make a different decision.She said as councils might be legally judged the employers of school staff, governors would need a very strong reason to make a different decision.
The decision to begin reopening schools came after the reproduction, or R number - the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to, on average - came down across every part of the UK.The decision to begin reopening schools came after the reproduction, or R number - the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to, on average - came down across every part of the UK.
But multiple research groups, including those at the University of Cambridge, show it varies across the country - it has come down most in London but is higher in the north-east of England.But multiple research groups, including those at the University of Cambridge, show it varies across the country - it has come down most in London but is higher in the north-east of England.
Metro mayors in the north-west of England have made an "urgent" call for the release of regional Covid-19 reproduction rate figures, saying it would help residents making "informed decisions about the risk and help decide whether they wish to take a more cautious approach to the relaxation of the lockdown rules".Metro mayors in the north-west of England have made an "urgent" call for the release of regional Covid-19 reproduction rate figures, saying it would help residents making "informed decisions about the risk and help decide whether they wish to take a more cautious approach to the relaxation of the lockdown rules".
Meanwhile, a survey of 29,000 members of the teachers' union NASUWT found just one in 20 thought it would be safe for more pupils to return next month.Meanwhile, a survey of 29,000 members of the teachers' union NASUWT found just one in 20 thought it would be safe for more pupils to return next month.
Patrick Roach, the union's general secretary, said the government had "thus far failed to win the trust and confidence of teachers about the safety of reopening schools".Patrick Roach, the union's general secretary, said the government had "thus far failed to win the trust and confidence of teachers about the safety of reopening schools".
He called for all the scientific evidence from the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) to be made available to teachers and schools as soon as possible.He called for all the scientific evidence from the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) to be made available to teachers and schools as soon as possible.
On Tuesday, deputy chief scientific adviser Prof Dame Angela McLean told the No 10 briefing that an effective system for tracing new coronavirus cases needed to be in place before lockdown restrictions could be changed.On Tuesday, deputy chief scientific adviser Prof Dame Angela McLean told the No 10 briefing that an effective system for tracing new coronavirus cases needed to be in place before lockdown restrictions could be changed.
Asked whether this system will be in place by 1 June, the justice secretary said he hoped it would, but it "won't necessarily be as widespread and as full-blown as we would like".Asked whether this system will be in place by 1 June, the justice secretary said he hoped it would, but it "won't necessarily be as widespread and as full-blown as we would like".
'Acceptable level of risk''Acceptable level of risk'
The doctors' union, the British Medical Association, said schools should reopen "as soon as it is safe to do so", but warned "a zero-risk approach is not possible".The doctors' union, the British Medical Association, said schools should reopen "as soon as it is safe to do so", but warned "a zero-risk approach is not possible".
"This is about 'safe' being an acceptable level of risk," the BMA's Dr Peter English wrote in the Daily Telegraph."This is about 'safe' being an acceptable level of risk," the BMA's Dr Peter English wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
Last week, the BMA said Covid-19 infection rates were too high for England's schools to reopen.Last week, the BMA said Covid-19 infection rates were too high for England's schools to reopen.
Attendance by primary school pupils will be voluntary and schools are reporting varied levels of interest from the parents.Attendance by primary school pupils will be voluntary and schools are reporting varied levels of interest from the parents.
Secondary schools are likely to stay closed until September but the government hopes those facing exams next year - Years 10 and 12 - will get some time in school before the summer holidays.Secondary schools are likely to stay closed until September but the government hopes those facing exams next year - Years 10 and 12 - will get some time in school before the summer holidays.
A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "We want children back in schools as soon as possible, because being with their teachers and friends is so important for their education and their wellbeing.A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "We want children back in schools as soon as possible, because being with their teachers and friends is so important for their education and their wellbeing.
She insisted plans for the "cautious" return of some pupils from 1 June are "based on the best scientific and medical advice" and said No 10 had "engaged closely" with relevant groups including the unions, and will continue to do so.She insisted plans for the "cautious" return of some pupils from 1 June are "based on the best scientific and medical advice" and said No 10 had "engaged closely" with relevant groups including the unions, and will continue to do so.
In other developments:In other developments:
Are you a parent or teacher? Share your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you a parent or teacher? Share your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: