Fines will not be issued to Plymouth parents who keep their children home
Plymouth's Cabinet Member for Education and the City Council Leader have written to the Education Secretary as schools reopen
Councillors in Plymouth are "seriously concerned" about the Government's approach to schools reopening.
Cabinet Member for Education Jon Taylor and Leader of the City Council Tudor Evans, have written to the Education Secretary, saying staff and students' safety should be a "top priority".
They are also asking for a COVID-19 vaccination to be prioritised for teachers and other members of staff.
Local Labour MP Luke Pollard is backing their calls:
"More school closures are now inevitable and that's why I'm backing Plymouth City Council in supporting any headteacher who, having risk assessed the situation, doesn't feel it's safe enough for that school to reopen."
The Labour run council has already given their full support to schools choosing not to open if they assess it is not safe to do so.
They have also said that parents in Plymouth will not be issued fines if they choose to keep their children home from school.
In Councillor Taylor and Evans' letter to Gavin Williamson, they have said that the situation is "hugely disappointing":
"The failure to engage constructively means that in Plymouth, we now find ourselves in a situation where we cannot be sure that there will be enough teachers and schools staff for all schools to reopen safely this week, causing huge inconvenience and upheaval for parents."
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has said there was "no doubt" classrooms were safe, and education has to be a "priority".
But some schools in London and the South East will remain shut as a result of high rates of Covid-19.