Education: Return in January Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Department for Education

Education: Return in January

Flick Drummond Excerpts
Wednesday 30th December 2020

(3 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that primary schools in Cheshire West and Chester will be open on Monday.

Flick Drummond Portrait Mrs Flick Drummond (Meon Valley) (Con) [V]
- Hansard - -

May I join the previous questioner and ask my right hon. Friend whether he agrees that the best way to get schools back and working properly is to prioritise vaccines for teachers and pupils, who may be spreading the virus asymptomatically? Will he urge the Department of Health and Social Care to prioritise that?

Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I would certainly urge the Department of Health and Social Care to prioritise vaccination of those who work in schools. All the vaccines currently available have not had or have not completed trials on people under the age of 18. I am sure my hon. Friend recognises the necessity of completing those trials before rolling out any vaccination programme to the younger cohorts.