Lib Dems: Sajid Javid fails to rule out closing schools again in future Covid lockdown

The Health Secretary Sajid Javid has today failed to rule out closing schools in any future lockdowns, after being challenged to do so in Parliament by the Liberal Democrats.

The Government's Covid winter plan published today says that the "the nature of the virus means it is not possible to give guarantees,” adding that “more harmful economic and social restrictions would only be considered as a last resort.”

Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said:

“It is deeply concerning that the Covid winter plan keeps open the possibility of school closures, and that ministers have refused to rule them out.

"Children have done everything asked for them during this pandemic, yet too often the impact on their education and mental health has been overlooked.

“The Conservatives must stop treating the education and wellbeing of our children as an afterthought.

“Pupils and their parents deserve a clear guarantee from this government that schools won’t be shut this winter, so we don’t see a repeat of the chaos of last year.

“We need to make sure that throughout every stage of this pandemic, protecting younger generations is made a top priority.”