'We will pay a high price': Leeds National Education Union 'completely opposed' to reopening schools in city

Patrick Murphy, District and Branch Secretary for the NEU in Leeds, said it is 'not safe for staff, children or their families and communities' for schools to reopen on June 1 as planned.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post that the NEU has five tests which need to be met before schools reopen - none of which have yet been achieved.

'Claims that children are less likely to contract the virus are mistaken', the NEU in Leeds said in a statement.

They urged the government to withdraw the proposal and to consult with education unions, head teachers and local authorities on the conditions for a safe reopening of schools.

The statement provided to the YEP read: "We are completely opposed to the reopening of schools to wider groups of children from June 1st as we believe it is not safe for staff, children or their families and communities.

"Our members are keen to see schools return to normal as soon as possible but it must be safe.

"They have been looking after the children of key workers and vulnerable children throughout the COVID-19 crisis, including during the Easter and Bank holidays.

"They will continue to do that for as long as it is necessary.

"The NEU has set five tests which need to be met before schools reopen. None of them have been met.

"The government has set itself five tests. At best two of those have been met."

"Claims that children are less likely to contract the virus are mistaken."

Evidence from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on May 14th showed that children had proven just as likely to contract COVID-19 as any other age group, the NEU stated.

The statement continued: "We want the government to withdraw this proposal and to consult with education unions, head teachers and local authorities on the conditions for a safe reopening of schools and the best time to start that process.

"This issue is much wider than schools.

"In 30 European countries and in China it has been shown that no single factor reduced the spread of the virus more than school closures.

"None of the other UK nations are planning to open schools at this point with most looking to open in September.

"We will pay a high price in the long term for a short-lived and poorly planned return."

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