Robert Halfon MP questions Prime Minister and Schools Minister over safety of school reopenings

AS part of the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on education settings, Robert Halfon MP quizzed both the Prime Minister and the Schools Minister about the safety of reopening schools.

Mr Halfon asked the Prime Minister whether he could: “assure all those parents, children, teachers and support staff that are watching today that the phased schools opening on 1st June is absolutely safe, of minimal risk and all requirements for testing, tracking and tracing will be given to staff and pupils, and there will be the required PPE where it is needed?”

The Prime Minister confirmed that he believed it could be done “in a safe, socially distanced way”. He also said that he accepted that “not everyone will necessarily go back on day one, but do expect people to return to school in those class groups.”

The Chair of the Education Committee also asked about whether “is it still the Government’s plan to have all primary school pupils going back a month before the summer holidays”. The Prime Minister assured Mr Halfon that the Government would “like to do it if we can” and that the Government would “continue to review it in accordance with the scientific advice”.

Earlier in the day, Mr Halfon had taken a similar line of questioning to the Schools Minister, Nick Gibb MP. He pressed the Minister on the science behind the Government’s decision to reopen schools and asked for assurances to be provided about whether schools would have the necessary testing, tracking, tracing and PPE. The Minister assured Mr Halfon that the Government is “very much led by the science” and emphasised that the “science is very clear”.

Robert said: “I know how worrying this time has been for parents, teachers and support staff and I have been doing all I can to ensure that every possible precaution and support is in place for schools to reopen.

“I have questioned not only the Prime Minister on ⁰this, but also the Education Secretary, Children’s Minister and the Schools Minister. I have also spoken to many headteachers in Harlow and raised their concerns directly with the Government.

“If any parent, teacher or support staff has any questions or concerns, I would encourage them to contact me and I will do all I can to help.”