School absence rates in the North West are seven times higher than other parts of the country
Data released today shows the impact of higher rates of coronavirus on the education of children in the North West. It comes as extra measures have been brought in to tackle to surge in Greater Manchester and Lancashire and nineteen of the top twenty places with the highest rates of Coronavirus are all in the North West.
According to the statistics, COVID-19 related pupil absence in state-funded schools in the North West reached 4.2% on 27th May 2021. This increased from 1.4% on 5th May 2021, and compares to just 0.6% in the South West. In Bolton, 31% of secondary pupils were reported as absent for COVID-19 related reasons on 27 May.
Peter Kyle MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Schools, said:
“Today’s shocking new data demonstrates the government once again failing to keep our children learning in school, with those in the North West hit the hardest.
“Over the last year the Conservatives have ignored Labour’s calls for Covid security measures in schools – from proper testing to Nightingale classrooms, and the resources to make schools COVID-secure. Now it’s children and families in the North West who are paying the price.”
