Thank you for contacting me about the petition to introduce ventilation in schools and colleges. I completely agree that all schools should have the appropriate ventilation systems in place and that they are necessary in order to keep schools safe and keep children in school as we head into the difficult winter months.

Before the summer holidays, Labour called for the Government to use the time to procure British-made ventilation systems to install in every school in the country; the government refused and have taken no action whatsoever on this – leaving it to schools’ already overstretched budgets.

Throughout the pandemic Labour has been clear that the Government should be taking all possible measures to keep children learning safely in school. The autumn term is already upon us and a clear national direction is urgently needed.

The Tory’s chaotic mismanagement of the pandemic has kept children out of school for 115 days, missing out on learning and time with friends. Their last minute reactive approach cannot continue, action is needed now to improve ventilation and protections in schools to keep kids in class.

I will continue to press the Government to implement this important safety measure and support schools to successfully educate our children.