Responding to the list published by the Department for Education, which sets out the key workers whose children can continue to go to school, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said today:

“Essential and emergency staff working across our NHS, schools, police forces, care and other local services are at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic.

“Keeping schools open for their children means these public service champions can focus on their jobs and keeping the country going. But many questions still remain about when schools will open, and the role and availability of staff.

“It’s only right we look after the people who’ll be doing so much to look after us all in the coming weeks and months.”