THE Yorkshire Party is calling on schools to provide live internet lessons if a ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown proves unavoidable.

They are also calling on the Government to provide urgent financial support for IT equipment.

Yorkshire Party leader, Bob Buxton, said: “We want schools to stay open as normal if at all possible – kids have missed far too much school already. But if a circuit-breaker lockdown of two or three weeks, as Sage scientists have called for, is unavoidable, then the next best thing is live online lessons. This maintains a degree of social interaction and learning, even if the full school timetable cannot be delivered.”

“We called repeatedly on the Government to make live internet lessons compulsory during lockdown and were pleased to see some intent to do so recently. But schools need far greater support including revised guidance and IT equipment for pupils and staff - urgently.”

A call for greater provision for children with special educational needs and safeguarding concerns is also made.