The last thing we need is the issue of reopening schools becoming a political battleground

It is no exaggeration to say that it would be a national disaster if children and young people were caught up in a tug-of-war between interested parties, writes Ed Dorrell

Children across the country have spent significant parts of the last 12 months being homeschooled (Getty/iStock)

Bringing down the number of Covid-19 infections and deaths – together with delivering the vaccine rollout with maximum efficiency – is of course the top priority of ministers right now.

However, it is no secret that fast catching up is the matter of the full reopening of schools: it is certainly at the very top of the to-do list when it comes to the imminent relaxing of lockdown.

The relaxing of the first lockdown included multiple priorities: getting offices, schools and hospitality open were considered by many in the government to be equally important. This time around, the only story in town is schools. Only once classrooms are again teeming with kids and teachers – and the R number has remained the right side of 1 – can we likely expect ministerial talk to turn to letting the public go for a pint.