Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will consider the potential merits of requiring two parent households where one parent is a key worker to keep their children at home during the January 2021 covid-19 lockdown period.

During this period of national lockdown, schools should allow only vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers to attend. All other pupils and students should not attend and should be taught remotely.

Schools should speak to parents and carers to identify who needs to go to school, and parents should keep their children at home where they can. Children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school if required.

If it proves necessary, schools can ask for simple evidence that the parent in question is a critical worker, such as their work ID badge or pay slip.

We know that every school will have a different number of children of critical workers who need to attend. It is important that on-site provision is provided for these pupils. There is no limit to the numbers of these pupils who may attend, and schools should not limit attendance of these groups. We expect schools to work with critical worker parents to ensure their child is given access to a place if it is required, so that parents can continue providing vital services.