A government minister has indicated plans to reopen schools in England as early as June 1 will still go ahead, despite disagreement from both parents and councils.
Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, told ITV News “if we can get schools back by the beginning of June, we should do”, but admitted “discussions are ongoing” with teachers’ unions, who want the plan abandoning.
He said “children in the most deprived areas often rely on going to school”, but a survey by the National Education Union (NEU) showed just “one third of poorest families say they will send children back” before the end of term.
The prime minister’s spokesman hinted a decision on the reopening of schools next month will likely be made this week.
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