Monday 14 December 2020
For immediate release
UNISON supports mayor’s call for all schools in the capital to close from tomorrow
Responding to Greenwich council’s decision to close schools after today due to rising coronavirus outbreaks amongst school age children, UNISON regional head of local government Helen Reynolds said today (Monday):
“As well as pupils, coronavirus has had a significant impact on school support staff and whilst the decision to close may not be popular with all, it is a pragmatic one which puts the safety of children, their families and staff ahead of the government’s insistence that schools stay open regardless of the risk.
“It is imperative that the government ensure immediate arrangements are put in place for children who receive free school meals and those families in severe hardship as a result of schools having to close because of the pandemic. Adequate funding must be made available to local authorities to enable them to provide this vital support.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.
Media contact:
Emma Davey E: e.davey@unison.co.uk M: 07432733187