To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he expects to announce his decision on whether schools will remain closed in September as a result of swine influenza; and if he will make a statement. (289817)

The Secretary of State sent an email message to all schools on 26 August. That message stated:

“We have been closely monitoring the spread and severity of swine flu over the school holidays. The latest scientific advice to the Government is that individual school closures are now of limited benefit in stopping the spread of disease.

Given the mildness of the virus, the expert medical advice is that there is no good reason for schools to remain closed after the summer holiday. We therefore expect all schools and early-years and childcare settings in England to reopen as planned at the beginning of the new term.”