The return dates for some pupils in England schools have been delayed, the Education Secretary has confirmed.
Addressing fellow MPs in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, Gavin Williamson set out new plans for the spring term – claiming the move was necessary in light of rising COVID cases.
He confirmed that students in Years 11 and 13 taking exams will now return on January 11.
Other secondary school students will return full-time on January 18.
Most primary schools will open as planned on January 4.
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However, Williamson did add that: “in a small number of areas where the infection rates are highest, we will implement our existing contingency framework, such that only vulnerable children and children of critical workers will attend face to face.”
This list of areas will be published later on the government’s website.
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BREAKING: Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says the majority of primary schools will be opened as planned on Monday 4 January but in a "small number of areas where the infection rates are highest" primary school children will work remotely. https://t.co/YEPTg2GE0ipic.twitter.com/LYMLyqGF64
Williamson stated: “The education of children is an absolute priority,” but that the government “must always act swiftly when circumstances change.”
He added: “We have had to make a number of changes for the new term to help breaking chains of transmission.”
The original plan was for a staggered return to schools for pupils in England from January 4 – with primary school children, children of key workers, and secondary school children in years 11 and 13 (doing exams) set to return.
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But Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove warned as recently as Monday that this plan was “under review” due to rising cases.
Teaching Unions had also called for a delay to reopening schools, warning that education facilities needed time to “consult as required on new risk assessments and ensure that they can be compliant with any new measures or requirements contained in any forthcoming national guidance.”
More than 1,500 members of the military will be drafted in to provide support with mass testing at secondary schools and colleges when pupils return.
Greater Manchester has now been placed under Tier 4 restrictions. According to the government regulations, residents in these areas must not leave or be outside of their home or garden except where they have a ‘reasonable excuse’ (e.g. essential shopping, exercise, legal obligations, and childcare).
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Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
The Manc -
30th December 2020 
