Unions demand the government ‘steps back’ from opening schools on June 1

Unions have demanded the government ‘steps back’ from its plan to reopen schools in England from June 1, saying there is not enough ‘protection’ for staff and pupils. A joint statement issued through the Trades Union Congress complains of a ‘lack of understanding’ of the risks faced by teachers and children, with no provision for social … Read more

Universities will not be allowed to cram in extra students to plug funding gaps but will get £2.6bn

Universities to get £2.6billion government support package as they are told not squeeze in extra students amid coronavirus cash crisis This will give the Government temporary controls over student numbers  Nearly one in five prospective students have changed their mind about university this autumn because of coronavirus  Universities will be unable to take extra students … Read more

ANDREW PIERCE: Spare us your winks and get a grip, Becky! 

ANDREW PIERCE: Spare us your winks and get a grip, Becky! By Andrew Pierce for the Daily Mail Published: 01:53 BST, 27 April 2020 | Updated: 01:55 BST, 27 April 2020 Sir Keir Starmer managed to find a place in his Shadow Cabinet for onetime ‘Continuity Corbyn’ candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey — whom he trounced in … Read more

Teacher unions set out list of pre-conditions before teachers go back to school coronavirus lockdown

Union bosses have set out a list of five conditions they claim must be observed to protect teachers if schools are to re-open amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) warned that staff concerns must be ‘fully addressed’ before teachers would be … Read more

Ministers draw up plans to send children back to school by May 11

Ministers draw up plans to send children back to school by May 11 – but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson faces revolt as some want return delayed until June Friends of Gavin Williamson say that he wants children back in school by May 11  However, other ministers want the return of school pupils delayed until June  … Read more

Ex-Bank of England boss Lord King says Government should reopen schools and some businesses

Ministers faced fresh calls to publish their exit strategy for the coronavirus lockdown today.  The former bank of England Governor Lord King said that a ‘trial and error’ reopening of schools and some businesses should be considered to help re-start the economy.  The crossbench peer called for the Government to be clear about the obstacles … Read more

Oxford University bosses slam their ‘ridiculous’ students after they ‘no-platformed’ Amber Rudd

Oxford University bosses slam their ‘ridiculous’ students after they ‘no-platformed’ former Home Secretary Amber Rudd – but admit they were powerless to stop them Students cancelled a speech last minute by former Home Secretary Amber Rudd The university’s vice-chancellor intervened to publicly criticise the protest stunt But denouncement of cancellation only published after Government pressure By … Read more

Cabinet split: Hawks warn UK faces irreparable damage while doves favour extending the measures

Cabinet splits over coronavirus lockdown: Chancellor Rishi Sunak warns Britain faces irreparable damage if restrictions aren’t lifted soon – while Health Secretary Matt Hancock favours extending the measures to protect NHS workers Cabinet is split between hawks who want to lift lockdown in a few weeks and doves who want to delay until late May … Read more

China blasts Brazilian minister after he claims coronavirus is part of ‘plan for world domination’

China has condemned Brazil after the far-right government’s education minister linked the coronavirus pandemic to Beijing’s ‘plan for world domination,’ in a tweet imitating a Chinese accent. In the latest incident to strain ties between Brasilia and Beijing, Education Minister Abraham Weintraub insinuated China was behind the global health crisis. The Chinese Embassy in Brazil … Read more