UK Government confirms one date to be given for all schools to fully return

The government has confirmed there will only be one date given for all pupils to fully return to school.

Speaking at today's press conference, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden was asked if schools could reopen as normal on a region-by-region basis.

This comes as Public Health England recorded zero new cases in the last 24 hours in London.

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden (Andrew Parsons/10 Downing Street/Crown Copyright/PA Wire)

But Mr Dowden said whilst the figures are “promising” we would be best to move as one nation.

This can be through staggering school times or allowing groups of just 15, however this will only be guided by the science and caution still remains.

His answer comes just hours after his Cabinet colleague Robert Buckland said there may not be a "uniform approach".

Mr Dowden said: "It is best, and the Government has said this repeatedly, that we move as a whole nation, and that would include of course the whole of England in doing so."

But there could be different measures in "micro-hotspots" where there was an outbreak of new coronavirus cases.

Currently, the Prime Minister has given the green light for pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to return to classrooms, albeit with social distancing measures in place, as of June 1.

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