Covid-19: Education Settings

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Excerpts

Thursday 8th July 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blower (Lab) [V]]

My Lords, it is alas clear that the impact of Covid-19 will continue to be felt in schools and colleges well into the next academic year. All possible steps must be taken to mitigate these effects, in an attempt to avoid children and young people missing education. There is also the worry that rising cases in schools increase the risk of mutations. As inhalation of coronavirus is a major transmission route, with aerosol containing infectious virus able to travel more than two metres and accumulate in poorly ventilated spaces, practical action is needed.

In another place, the Secretary of State referred to enhanced ventilation. Last autumn term that meant many children and teachers working in coats, hats and gloves as their classroom windows were kept wide open, while many others worked in classrooms with windows that did not open at all. However, the provision of CO₂ monitors, as the Minister referenced, and air filtration devices where necessary following a risk assessment could maintain adequate ventilation.

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

Does the noble Baroness have a question? I am sorry to intervene.

[Baroness Blower (Lab) [V]]

Yes—will the Government provide sufficient funds to ensure that all schools can avail themselves of CO₂ monitors and air purifiers?

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness is taking longer than other noble Lords, who have been very restrained in their questions.

[Baroness Uddin (Non-Afl) [V]]

I have nearly finished, thank you. These children are marginalised as a result of inequalities, poor health, poverty and poor-quality housing. Will the Government ensure adequate planning for their education needs, as well as their well-being?

Queen’s Speech

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Excerpts

Wednesday 12th May 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

My Lords, I am sorry to interrupt the noble Lord, but I draw his attention to the fact that he has been speaking for six minutes now and we have an advisory limit of five minutes. If he would not mind bringing his remarks to a close, it might be appreciated.

[Lord Parekh (Lab) [V]]

My apologies.

Educational Settings

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Excerpts

Thursday 19th March 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Berridge]

My Lords, the Government are keenly aware that, in taking the decisions that we have in relation to movement of the public and schools to suppress the peak, there are massive implications for the economy, and a raft of measures have been introduced in relation to that. We have made changes to arrangements for statutory sick pay: it is now payable on first day off, and self-isolation is viewed as a sickness. The minimum income floor has been lowered in relation to self-employed people. But, yes, there is much work still to do on alleviating the effects on the economy for us all.

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

My Lords, we have 10 further minutes for Back-Bench questions on the Statement if noble Lords wish.

[Baroness Blower (Lab)]

My Lords, I am sure that the Minister recognises that it takes quite a while to get an education, health and care plan in place. I have been approached overnight by a number of teachers who are very concerned that there are children who are half way through the process and who will not yet have a plan, but who are vulnerable. Schools would definitely want to welcome them in. Can she confirm that it will be for the schools to decide which children come into the vulnerable category? Can she further confirm that the vouchers, which have been put in place very quickly, will actually be redeemable and that there will be somewhere for them to be redeemed, and that schools which want to keep their kitchens open will in some way or other be assured of food deliveries?

As the Minister said, local authorities will have a role in ensuring that all schools, whatever their governance, type and style, are encouraged to work together through the local authority to make provision in the most effective way. Can the Minister confirm that teachers are also key workers in these circumstances, and that their children have to go to school so that they can be at work providing a place for other people’s children to be looked after and, we hope, in some measure educated?