Stephen Morgan responds to new stats on school absences

Stephen Morgan MP, Labour’s Shadow Schools Minister, responding to new statistics showing 235,000 children were absent from school due to Covid on 9 December, said:

"Hundreds of thousands of children are facing continued disruption to their education because of the Conservatives' failure to prioritise schoolchildren.

“The Government should have had a proper plan in place to stop a third year of Covid chaos in schools but their last-minute approach is leaving children bearing the brunt of the pandemic once again. This cannot continue.

“Labour is calling on Ministers to deliver a Christmas vaccine guarantee to ensure all 12 – 15 year olds can get a jab during the holidays to keep kids learning next term. This must be delivered alongside practical ventilation measures in all schools, so teachers are not forced to open windows this winter."