Johnson criticised for lack of detail in closures speech

The government has promised that it will provide further details on how school closures will affect students and parents after criticism over a lack of clarity.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson both announced that schools in the UK will close their doors on 20 March, except for vulnerable pupils or children of key workers. This followed similar announcements in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Now, following calls for more specific information, Williamson has said that a list of what qualifies as ‘key workers’ during the coronavirus crisis - whose children can still go to school - will be released later.

He told BBC Breakfast that the Cabinet Office is due to release the full list of key workers and parents not on the list will be ‘immediately aware’ that their child won't be offered a place in school.

Schools supporting key workers' children will be expected to remain open during the Easter holidays, with staff and students reported to be possibly required to work at or attend schools other than their own.

Concerning the news that GCSEs and A-Levels in England and Wales have been cancelled, he stated that the government’s aim was to issue children with grades in August under a ‘different process and a different system’. Universities have already warned that pupils should not lose the chance to go to university this year because of the move. The August intended date is not set in stone, however, as the virus may still be spreading at that point.