Commenting on the plans for England’s return to school in September, Mark Hilton, Executive Director of People at London First, said:
“The measures announced today are welcome, but it is too soon to tell how far behind pupils – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – are as a result of being unable to go to school for six months.
“In London and other parts of the country there is a generation of young children who risk being left behind if they do not catch up and while the £1bn fund is a positive step forward, it is vital that government and schools are well prepared should there need to be further lockdowns in the new school year. The education of our children, and the productivity of the nation, relies on schools being open.”