If he was a school headteacher, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson would be dismissed for incompetence – as would Boris Johnson, no doubt.
The Government’s lack of a credible plan to reopen schools is an unforgivable failure.
It will inflict lasting harm on the prospects of our children.
Developing the safe resumption of lessons, with priority vaccinations for teachers and all staff, is another gaping hole still to be filled in the response to the pandemic.
The prospect of closures stretching beyond Easter is a government surrendering as it sacrifices the education of hundreds of thousands of pupils for want of a sound strategy.
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Locking school gates except to the vulnerable and children of key workers might be acceptable if decent online lessons were provided – but the Tories failed that test too.
Nobody denies reopening schools would be free of risk, and caution is vital.
But the tragedy is that when a can-do approach is required, we’re stuck with a can’t-do Education Secretary and Prime Minister.
Defend jobs
Labour forcing Parliamentary votes to safeguard workers’ rights now Britain is outside EU protection will trouble Tories.
Lowering job standards in a race to the bottom would be a Conservative dead end instead of a road to the greater prosperity, security, fairness and decency of a truly successful economy.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng finally admitting his department is reviewing employment laws after Brexit sets alarm bells ringing.
Guaranteed wages, paid holidays and health and safety are “regulations” disliked by some Brexit-backing Tories.
Let’s champion and defend decent jobs with decent rights for workers.
Warm us up
Snowis picturesque and loved by kids.
But with severe weather warnings across the UK, walking is treacherous and travel is no fun.
Spring cannot come soon enough.
