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Angela Rayner’s SAGE fake news

Angela Rayner (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

As a former shadow education minister, you would expect Angela Rayner to be keeping a close eye on the scientific advice about when schools should begin to reopen. The government currently plans to reopen schools for some pupils on 1 June – a decision which has provoked the ire of several teaching unions, who say it is not yet safe for staff members or children.

Which perhaps explains why this morning the deputy leader of the Labour party went on the attack, and tweeted out an article by the Times Educational Supplement, pointing out that:

‘SAGE concludes June 1st “too soon” to open schools. Teacher unions have been absolutely correct in asking for safety measures to be in place before re-opening. Daily attacks from right wing newspapers who attack teachers and their unions, should take note’

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If true, it would certainly be damning for the government if its own Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) had concluded that it was ‘too soon’ for schools to reopen.

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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