Covid-19: Education Settings

Baroness Blower Excerpts

Thursday 8th July 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Berridge (Con)]

The noble Lord is correct. Engaging with unions and head teachers has been an important part of what the department has done over these times. The guidance we have issued has been in consultation, through regular meetings at official and ministerial level, to produce the best guidance we can. As I have outlined, we have issued guidance for an updated contingency plan for what might be expected of schools if they were in an area where a new variant of concern was prevalent or there was a local outbreak.

[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?

[Baroness Berridge (Con)]

To reassure the noble Baroness, I say that this is precisely why we have the pilot with Public Health England and SAGE; it is to look at CO₂ levels in classrooms. When we have the results of that, we will update any guidance accordingly.