Lib Dem councillors call for schools to move to remote learning

Although the party wants schools to remain open for vulnerable children and those whose parents are key workers, South Northamptonshire councillor Mark Allen has called for all primary schools to move to remote learning until January 18.

He said: “With the government’s own scientific advisors saying that they cannot provide any analysis on what is required to control the new strain of the virus until mid-January, the Government must think again and adopt a plan to get ahead of the virus.

“Time and time again, this Government has squandered opportunities to get ahead of the virus in schools and left pupils, parents and teachers understandably anxious if not terrified about returning next week.

“For months, Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Government to come up with a proper plan to keep schools open safely. Instead, this latest botched decision and the Tories top-down attitude has once again led to last minute and inconsistent decisions that are wreaking havoc on people’s lives.

The party has also called for a move to single-school transport, and a new pupil bubbling strategy to tackle the new COVID strain.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to address the nation at 8pm tonight to announce further steps to combat the growing number of COVID cases.