Coronavirus news – live: Boris Johnson hints two-metre rule could be scrapped in schools, after Covid-19 alert level lowered
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Boris Johnson has hinted he may scrap the two-metre social distancing rule for schools, adding: “Watch this space.” His comments came after schools in England were offered £1bn to help children catch up on learning lost due to coronavirus.
Plus, the UK’s Covid-19 alert level has been lowered from 4 to 3 on the recommendation of the four chief medical officers, who nonetheless warned: “It does not mean that the pandemic is over.”
Also on Friday, figures showed that black men suffered the highest coronavirus death rate of any group at the height of the UK’s epidemic.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson will be leading the daily Downing Street press conference alone today.
The briefing is expected to begin in a few minutes' time.
R number is unchanged
Mr William says the R rate remains unchanged.
Death toll rises by 173 to 42,461
Mr Williamson gives an update on the latest figures for coronavirus cases and deaths in the UK.
There have been 173 more deaths as of today, which brings the total UK death toll to 42,461.
Cases have risen by 1,346 to 301,815.
Mr Williamson says the daily average for deaths is now down to 140.
Mr Williamson is now on to the topic of schools.
He thanks teachers, childcare and support staff for everything they have done to welcome children back to school.
He says the government will bring all children in all year groups back to school in September.
He adds: "I do understand there is an anxiety still among parents. I want to assure you that the wellbeing of your children is the absolute top priority of every single one of us.
"We will not allow an entire generation to lose out on their education or accept lower expectations for them - that's why we are announcing a £1bn Covid catch up programme."
Mr Williamson says schools will be given discretion to tailor this funding towards their particular needs and the needs of the children they teach.
He adds that the funding includes a £350m one-year national tutoring programme for disadvantaged children and young people.
The Covid-19 swab test uncomfortable and difficult with children. What is the government going to do to make testing an easier less intimidating process for children?
Mr Williamson says the government is taking steps to make sure it gets better testing for children, especially as we approach winter months.
When will the government give further advice to people still shielding?
Mr Williamson says in the coming weeks "very shortly" people still shielding will be given advice about how they can go out safely and to know who is needing to continue to shield.
The PM today has said by September all pupils will be back in schools like this full time, how are you going to do that when there is still any social distancing? Even one metre wouldn't allow schools to get all pupils back every day of the week.
When the government published alert levels it said social distancing would be relaxed when we reach alert level 3, so will the two-metre rule now be relaxed?
Mr Williamson says protective measures will still need to be in place for children and staff returning to school.
He adds: "The prime minister has made it clear that this review [into the two-metre rule] is currently being undertaken. I'm afraid I'm not in a position to give you an exact date.
"We've been creating bubbles of children in the classroom currently that is at 15 what we would be looking at doing is expanding those bubbles to include the whole class.
"Relaxation of social distancing is incredibly important not just for schools but also the economy. We are looking at how we ensure we create the safest environment possible for children."
Teachers are really desperate to hear these things ASAP, Northern Ireland has already relaxed to a one-metre rule in schools. Can’t you just say it now? Why are we waiting?
Mr William says England is "actually much further ahead than Northern Ireland" because we have nursery, reception, Y1, Y6, Y10 and Y12 back at school.
Do you think children should be taught more about Britain's colonial past and involvement in slavery? Will you change the curriculum to ensure this?
Mr Williamson says "it's incredibly important when children are learning about our nation's history that they learn about the good and the bad".
But he says we have a "rich history" and "should as a nation be proud of that history and teach our children about it".
Do you think more needs to be done in schools to tackle racism, and what?
Mr Williamson replies: "Tolerance and respect have to be, and I believe are, at the cornerstone of absolutely everything this country does and teaches in all of our schools, colleges and universities. That's how it should be.
"This is what I want to see everyone teaching in schools right across the UK."
Charities have welcomed the new funding for tutoring and called for it to be extended beyond the coronavirus crisis. Would you support making it a permanent initiative?
Mr Williamson says evidence seems to suggest that 12 weeks of personal tutoring for just two hours a week can deliver five months' worth of catch up for the most disadvantage pupils.
He says the DfE is confident it will make a big difference and is looking at how it can support schools, such as through pupil premium, to get the best outcomes.
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