Coronavirus latest news: NHS waiting lists 'to hit 10 million by end of the year' It is a national scandal that schools are not reopening Chancellor says economic effects of school closures are worse than the 2008 crash School age children 'more likely to be hit by lightning than die of coronavirus' Philip Johnston: Brexit has reopened a divide that cannot be bridged Subscribe to The Telegraph, free for one month A minister has defended the decision to open zoos and safari parks before schools, saying this would give families "other outdoor facilities that they can enjoy with their children". Nadim Zahawi, the Business Minister, told BBC Breakfast it had been "tough" for parents under lockdown and pointed to the £100m funding for disadvantaged families and stressed "our ultimate aim" was to have "everybody" in school by September. Mr Zahawi added: "The same voices that last week were supporting people who are saying do not open up the schools are this week criticising us for saying we will take it deliberately carefully." He also told Sky News "schools and education are the top of our priorities". This afternoon, Boris Johnson is expected to announce that zoos, safari parks and drive-in cinemas will be reopened from next week. But the U-turn has been attacked by Rishi Sunak, who has warned that the closure of schools has been as disastrous for the economy as the 2008 financial crisis. The Chancellor has told colleagues that reopening schools is crucial to getting the economy back on track, with economists warning it is impossible as long as they remain shut, denying parents the chance to get back to work. Follow the latest updates below.
No comments:
Post a Comment