Thread by @bphillipsonMP

The government's inaction on school ventilation over the Christmas break has been disgraceful.

But it isn't a new problem. For month after month Labour and others have called for action.

And time and again the Tories have done too little, too late. A thread ... 🧵

In July 2020, just a few months into the pandemic, SAGE looked at the emerging evidence on how covid is transmitted.

It was becoming clear that washing our hands isn't enough: the disease spreads through the air too. (2/21)
gov.uk/government/pub…

Eighteen months ago the government's scientists were identifying schools as a priority context for action by ministers.

They said spaces like schools "should be prioritised for mitigation".

That's Whitehall-speak for "this needs to happen, fast" (3/21)

They also said why.

Page 7: "Particular attention should be paid to planning for winter to ensure that spaces can be effectively ventilated without significantly compromising the thermal comfort of occupants."

Remember, this is July 2020. (4/21)
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…

In September 2020 - yes, over fifteen months back - SAGE considered a paper explicitly on ventilation. (5/21)

gov.uk/government/pub…

And it recommended: (6/21)

So this is not a concern that has suddenly come to light.

This time last year teaching unions were already sounding the alarm, with @MaryBoustedNEU asking about "inadequate ventilation" (7/21)
neu.org.uk/press-releases…

And in January 2021, the Shadow Health Secretary asked "What support are the Government offering to install ventilation systems in workplaces?" (8/21)
hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-0…

Of course, the government closed schools again on the evening of Monday 4 January 2021, after a day of chaos when the government first opened schools and then closed them again. (9/21)
instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/…

In late February 2021, my predecessor @KateGreenSU asked if the Department would be providing updated guidance on ventilation that schools could action. (10/21)
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-0…

On 5 July 2021, then shadow Schools Minister @PeterKyle asked about funding for school ventilation.

There wasn't any, of course.

We have a Conservative Government. (11/21)
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questi…

The next day, 6 July 2021, @KateGreenSU asked what exactly the government was doing about ventilation in schools. (12/21)
hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-0…

On 9 July 2021, she asked again.

A full year after SAGE had sounded the alarm, ministers had finally started work on a pilot project. (13/21)
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questi…

On 19 July, she asked what was being done to make sure school ventilation guidance was followed.

Nothing, of course.

Funding for ventilation is only where that is a priority for the school from a broader budget, apparently. (14/21)
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questi…

Because as far as the Conservatives were concerned, they had spent quite enough on our children already.

@RishiSunak was clear in June that the government had "maxed out" on supporting children's learning. (15/21)
yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/…

In September, with Parliament back, @KateGreenSU raised the issue again.

Still the Conservatives sat on their hands. (16/21)

https://twitter.com/KateGreenSU/status/1433486500503736324?s=20

In October 2021, @PeterKyle was back on the case.

When, he asked, could the important pilot project on ventilation, mentioned by the Minister in July, be expected to report?

October 2022, apparently, for the full report.

It beggars belief. (17/21)
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questi…

On 8 December 2021 the government again confirmed that there was no new money to improve ventilation.

Not a penny.

If they were provided free of charge, apparently schools might misuse them.

Just disgraceful.

It's at 14:11 here. (18/21)
parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/81…

On a cold clear day in December, Shadow Schools Minister @StephenMorganMP visited a school where windows were having to be propped open.

He demanded Ministers get ahead of the virus now and put in place the ventilation systems schools need. (19/21)

At the weekend, the government announced it would make 7000 air purifiers suitable for badly ventilated classrooms.

There are well over 20,000 schools in England. That’s one classroom air purifier per three schools.

Woeful. (20/21)
inews.co.uk/news/7000-air-…

Again, and again, and again, scientists have recommended – and Labour has demanded – action on ventilation in schools.

And every time the Conservatives have sat on their hands, dithered and delayed.

They are letting down our children and they are failing our country.