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Plans for returning ‘every child’ to school to be unveiled next week, education secretary says

Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, has said the government will unveil plans next week for returning “every single child” to school.

Ministers have faced criticism after plans to bring pupils back over the summer were abruptly scrapped this month.

Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour’s shadow education secretary, said the confusion over the full return of schools could have been avoided if the government had chosen to “listen to the sector”.

She added: “So would he confirm today that he will now formally convene a taskforce of trade unions, education childcare leaders and staff, local authorities, parents' organisations and health experts to address these issues urgently?”

Mr Williamson replied: “We've given schools extra flexibility to get more children in and we've made it clear that next week we'll be outlining plans for a full return of every single child in every year group back into school.”

Mr Williamson later added that he was considering pushing back the 2021 exam season to give more time for teaching.

Alec Shelbrooke, a Conservative MP, asked the education secretary if he had given consideration to the idea of moving the exam season from May to July to provide time for completing the curriculum.

“[Mr Shelbrooke] raises an important point about how do we add more teaching time in and that is why we'll be consulting with Ofqual about how we can move those exams back giving children extra time in order to be able to learn and really flourish and do incredibly well,” Mr Williamson replied.

Williamson pays tribute to teacher killed in Reading attack

Gavin Williamson has paid tribute to a teacher who was stabbed to death in the Reading terror attack over the weekend.

James Furlong, who was the first named victim from the attack, was the head of history, government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham.

“Before I begin, may I take the opportunity to share my deepest condolences with the family of James Furlong and the other victims of the terrorist attack in Reading,” Mr Williamson told MPs.

“We've heard so many young people talk about the amazing impact James had on their lives and the real appreciation they felt and the loss that they now feel.

“Our hearts go out to all of those who have been affected by this most terrible of tragedies.”

He added: "It was an appalling attack and the home secretary will update the House later today."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called on the government to act to ensure the Windrush scandal can never happen again on the anniversary of the Windrush generation's arrival in the UK.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House, has said there will be a minute’s silence to remember the victims of the Reading terror attack at 11am in parliament tomorrow.

Home secretary Priti Patel has sent her “heartfelt condolences” to those affected by the Reading terror attack in a statement to MPs on the incident.

“Police have confirmed that the threat is contained but that sadly three innocent members of the public were killed, murdered by a sudden and savage knife attacker as they enjoyed a summer evening with friends,” Ms Patel said.

“Another three victims were injured and received hospital treatment.”

She added: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of everyone who was hurt or killed as a result of this sickening attack.

“The Victim of Terrorism Unit at the Home Office and family liaison officers are supporting them and I know honourable members across the House will join me in sending our heartfelt condolences.”

Ms Patel has paid tribute to Thames Valley Police, adding that she met the officers from who first responded to the attack this morning.

“These officers, a few of whom were student officers, ran towards danger to help those in need without a second thought,” she said.

“A young, unarmed police officer took down the suspect without hesitation while another performed emergency first aid to those who were injured.

“These officers are heroes. They showed courage, bravery and selflessness way beyond their years. They are the very best of us.”

Ms Patel added: “I would also like to pay tribute to the response of every emergency service that attended the scene as well as members of the public who stepped in to prevent further loss of life.”

Patel: ‘The threat posed by lone actors is growing’

The home secretary has said the terrorist threat posed by “lone actors” is growing in the UK, adding that security services had foiled 25 terrorist plots, including eight driven by right-wing ideologies, since 2017.

“The UK's counter-terrorism strategy remains one of the most comprehensive approaches to countering terrorism in the world,” Ms Patel said.

“But we have all too often seen the results of poisonous extremist ideology. The terrorist threat that we face is complex, diverse and rapidly changing.

“It is clear that the threat posed by lone actors is growing.”

Nation 'will want answers' on quick succession of attacks - shadow home secretary

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said it is "vital" that questions are addressed in the wake of several terrorist incidents.

He said: "It is heartbreaking that we are having this conversation again so soon after the terrible attacks at Fishmongers' Hall in November that tragically took the lives of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones and the attack in Streatham in February.

"This is a live investigation so we have to ensure there is due process and that the police can do their job but the country will want answers about these incidents which have occurred in such quick succession.

"So whilst the priority today must be to ensure that there are no further related threats and that the victims and families are cared for, it is vital that questions are addressed."

He added: "Legislation alone is not enough. We need a comprehensive look at de-radicalisation in our prisons, how people who pose a threat are risk-assessed and how different agencies can work together to safeguard against tragedies in the future."

Priti Patel responded: "He's absolutely right, legislation is never the only answer or the only solution, not just on issues of this nature but wider safeguarding, community measures and the responses that are put in place."

MP pays tribute to aide who ran towards danger

 An MP has told of how one of his parliamentary assistants carried out CPR on a victim of the Forbury Gardens attack.

Speaking in the Commons, Tory Chris Loder told MPs: "In the same way that (Tobias Ellwood) did so in March 2017, another member of our parliamentary family who, by chance was at Forbury Gardens on Saturday, ran courageously towards danger, his only focus to help the injured."

Mr Loder said a member of his staff "not only used his own shirt to stem the bleeding of one victim, but continued resuscitation on a second victim until the paramedics arrived".

He added: "This was indeed a remarkable and extraordinary effort from a young man who has been with us in Parliament for little over four months and whom I am extremely proud to have as part of the West Dorset Parliamentary team as I hope is the whole House."

Responding, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "Can I join with (Mr Loder) a tribute to his assistant and to all other first responders who showed great humility but also that sense of duty in coming together on Saturday in Forbury Gardens to respond and prevent the further loss of life.

"As I have already said Mr Speaker, they are the very best of all of us and I pay tribute to everyone that was part of the emergency response."