The government has written to schools about the use of school buildings for polls on 6 May 2021.

It says that the polls will be going ahead, but that other alternative venues should be investigated before schools, such as places of worship, gymnasiums, or other community or commercial venues, to avoid further disruption to schools.

The letter encourages schools to find viable alternatives to schools in their local area.

In the event that a school does have to be used, local authorities can use some of the £31 million additional funding to  meet the costs of additional measures to minimise disruption in schools and costs of cleaning, including any cleaning  to take place after polls close, so that schools can immediately reopen the following day.