Keir Starmer backs unions in wanting schools to return safely ⚡⚡⚡

[DumplingsAndStew]

"We'll have to see where the data is, where the science is, but that's what we should be working towards. If that means more testing, if that means Nightingale classrooms, if it means other measures, let's do that because I want to get our kids back into school."

Isn't it great that he agrees with what school staff and unions have been saying for months. That he wants schools to put in place cautious safety measures to enhance safety, so that everyone can return.

news.sky.com/story/amp/covid-19-labour-calls-for-all-schools-in-england-to-reopen-on-8-march-and-for-a-debt-charter-12224393

Yes, good for him.

Let's hope Boris listens.

That’s more like it. Thanks for the clarification, OP.

Incredible news for unions and school staff, now knowing they have this government support.

😂😂😂😂 it’s exactly what I’ve said on my thread here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4172050-Keir-Starmers-backs-8th-of-March-return-for-ALL-kids?watched=1&msgid=104890962#104890962

Absolutely bonkers. You’ve really made laugh 😂

You said he was stepping away from the unions @Shaiva on your thread

Good. The right call. Children need to be back in school.

@alwaysraining123

Good. The right call. Children need to be back in school.

Other than those who home educate on a more permanent basis, I'm sure everyone agrees with that.

It’s going to be interesting to see how some of the measures can be put in place in 2 weeks, especially if no funding is given to schools to help

@ineedaholidaynow

It’s going to be interesting to see how some of the measures can be put in place in 2 weeks, especially if no funding is given to schools to help

Hopefully funding will be allocated. I know the Scottish Government have pledged - I think - £40m towards making schools safer.

David Lammy on Marr now flip flopping saying nothing and his foot shaking at bottom of screen. Why can’t Labour politicians stand up to the unions? It’s so infuriating as a parent and healthcare worker in a hospital that has never once refused to go into work until everything is “safe”.
Running out of excuses thankfully as more teachers and parents get vaccinated. The “bringing it home to their parents” argument loses its power.

£40m doesn’t go far when split across all schools. What measures are they hoping to put in place for that money?

Dumplings do you know what measures Scotland are planning to put in place to make schools safer? Hopefully not just the unreliable LFT tests!

@sashagabadon

David Lammy on Marr now flip flopping saying nothing and his foot shaking at bottom of screen. Why can’t Labour politicians stand up to the unions? It’s so infuriating as a parent and healthcare worker in a hospital that has never once refused to go into work until everything is “safe”. Running out of excuses thankfully as more teachers and parents get vaccinated. The “bringing it home to their parents” argument loses its power.

What do you mean "stand up to the unions"? Why would anyone be against putting in safety measures to make schools as safe as possible?

Shame he hasn’t piped up sooner though..typical Kier Starmer, waits until the decision has been made and then just parrots off what most people want to hear!

Thanks for the clarification.

@ineedaholidaynow @chocolateisavegetable

Sorry, I have no idea what measures are planned with that money or how it works, just saying they have promised some additional funding, so hopefully England do the same.

I know Scotland are offering twice weekly testing for staff and senior pupils, gradual return. Primaries only have early years - primary 1 - 3 in for the next couple of weeks at least. Secondary have only up to 8% of senior pupils only in for the same timescale, masks at all times, strict social distancing between pupils in and out of class, staggered break times etc.

@sashagabadon

David Lammy on Marr now flip flopping saying nothing and his foot shaking at bottom of screen. Why can’t Labour politicians stand up to the unions? It’s so infuriating as a parent and healthcare worker in a hospital that has never once refused to go into work until everything is “safe”. Running out of excuses thankfully as more teachers and parents get vaccinated. The “bringing it home to their parents” argument loses its power.

I assume as a healthcare worker you have PPE and aren't stuck in a room with 30 patients for hours straight?

@sashagabadon have you been vaccinated? Because I know 1 teacher out of 200 at my school who has. I have never refused to go to work and have been in KW pods every week. In close contact with students. How often does anyone else spend their days with thousands of people all crammed into unventilated buildings with no masks or distancing ? Please tell me what other jobs do this ???

That clip only shows a snippet of what was said so you dont really get a true grasp of the interview. I was surprised at how forth coming he was.

He was asked about the unions and very politician like he dodged the question he didn’t reinforce support for the union at all. He dodged the only question about them. The unions do not want schools to open on the 8th - Keir does. He wasn’t shy through out the interview of repeating 8th of March. He is showing he wants a committed end date for this and wants the government to make sure measure are in place.

Your take away from the clip was Keir supports unions. My take from watching the whole interview is that Keir wants schools open on the 8th and the government need to make that possible by putting measures in place.

@DumplingsAndStew

Incredible news for unions and school staff, now knowing they have this government support.

But he's Opposition not Government....

But the important part is that he wants safety measures in place so that the schools can operate safely.

Which is exactly what the unions want.

@JanFebAnyMonth

He's still in government, and publicly stating that he has the same goal as unions do can only be a positive thing.

I'm confused, how is Keir Starmer in government?

@sashagabadon

David Lammy on Marr now flip flopping saying nothing and his foot shaking at bottom of screen. Why can’t Labour politicians stand up to the unions? It’s so infuriating as a parent and healthcare worker in a hospital that has never once refused to go into work until everything is “safe”. Running out of excuses thankfully as more teachers and parents get vaccinated. The “bringing it home to their parents” argument loses its power.

You do know that teachers have been working, right? Some teachers are working from home doing the online lessons, but are still working. At my school, all staff are in all day, every day - teaching online and the KW/V children who are in school. Surely as a healthcare worker, you don't want the hospitals to be overwhelmed and therefore you would support the safe opening of schools?