Luton North MP urges government to publish latest evidence before sending children back to school

Currently, children in reception, year 1 and year 6 classes are poised to return to school on June 1.

MP Sarah Owen says she has been inundated with calls from parents in Luton who are concerned about their children's safety if they return to school.

Ms Owen has now written to Education Secretary Gavin Williams urging the government to publish its latest modelling evidence, including plans for testing provision, enhanced school cleaning and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies.

She said: “Right now, people are anxious about too hastily lifting measures that have so far drastically slowed the spread of coronavirus.

"Teachers have a right to feel safe at work, and parents must have confidence that their child is safe at school. Any risk of a second spike in infections is unthinkable.

"I am urging the government to proceed with absolute caution when it comes to reopening schools over the next few weeks and put the safety of teachers, pupils and their families at home first.”

The move comes after an IFS survey showed little enthusiasm among UK parents for a return to the classroom. Just 39% of primary school parents and 45% of secondary school parents said they would send their children back if they had a choice.

Ms Owen is joining Labour colleagues in pushing the government to work with teaching unions to create clear conditions before reopening schools. These conditions would entail more testing, protections in place for the most vulnerable, and a much lower number of COVID-19 cases.

The MP added: “We all want pupils back in school. We know that the longer schools are closed, the wider the gap between children in better-off families and children in the poorest households grows.

"But we need to listen to parents and teachers who have been telling me that pupils can only return when it is safe for them to do so.

“This has been a testing time for the teaching profession. Teaching staff have gone above and beyond to adapt during this crisis to the needs of their pupils.

"Many schools, including in Luton, have even been using their design & tech facilities to produce crucial supplies of PPE for frontline workers.

"We also know that parents are worried about their children missing crucial time in school, with pupils missing important exams.”