Extract from
Commons statement on Education settings
(Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab) [V]: I would
like to place on record my thanks to the National Education Union and to
Unison for the work that they have been doing to keep school staff
and pupils safe. In my constituency of Liverpool, Wavertree, I have
been inundated with inquiries from worried parents and nursery
staff about nurseries remaining open, and the risk that that poses,
particularly when elderly grandparents, as part of support bubbles,
are often used to pick up children. I am afraid that the narrative
from the Secretary of State that this group is the least at risk is
not enough and does not instil confidence. Will he fully explain to
my constituents why nurseries and early years settings are not
closing, with the exception of providing services to the children
of key workers?
The Secretary of State for Education ():
Early evidence from SAGE has shown that early years provision
had a smaller relative impact on transmission rates than primary
schools, which in turn had a smaller relative impact than secondary
schools; that is why the decision was taken. The hon. Lady mentions
the National Education Union I thank
the National Education Union
and Unison for recognising that the action they took
and the advice that gave to their members on Sunday was incorrect,
and for withdrawing that advice. It was the wrong advice, and I am
glad that they have reflected on it and recognised that it was the
wrong advice.
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Extract from
Commons debate on Public Health
(Cambridge) (Lab) [V]:...On schools, the
front page of today’s Cambridge Independent tells the story: “a
disgrace”, say teachers. The headteacher at St Matthew’s in
Cambridge, Tony Davies, describes a day of chaos and observes:
“So much heartache could have been saved if they had made this
decision in a timely manner.”
Niamh Sweeney of the National Education Union
rightly observes that, because of the chaos,
“the Government has jeopardised public health.”
The problems in education go further still. While local education
authorities such as Cambridgeshire have stepped up, they are
hampered by the patchwork of competing Government arrangements
now in place. They can advise, but for multi-academy trusts the
decisions in some cases are made far from Cambridgeshire—out of
sight, beyond local scrutiny or influence...
