Responding to new government figures published today (Tuesday) showing more than a million children in England were off school last week due to Covid-19, UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said:
“Face masks should never have been ditched in schools back in May, as ministers were repeatedly warned.
“The government’s chaotic approach to relaxing restrictions is now approaching a free-for-all and this is the result.
“Hundreds of thousands of parents have been left high and dry in the last days of term, either forced to home school or dealing with childcare nightmares.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, including in social care, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
