Mansfield MP pleased schools re-opening is Prime Minister's top priority

In his statement to the Commons this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that it would not be possible to reopen schools in February.

However, he said he hoped schools would be first to reopen from March 8.

Mr Bradley has been putting pressure on Government to ensure that schools are the top priority for reopening, and welcomed the Prime Minister’s acknowledgment that closures have a huge impact on children and parents.

Earlier this week, Mr Bradley supported a campaign to urge the Prime Minister to fully reopen schools.

He was supported by a dozen Conservative colleagues, including Ashfield MP, Lee Anderson, and former cabinet minister, Esther McVey.

Mr Bradley said: “I’m pleased that the Prime Minister has responded to our campaign this week and clearly taken our concerns on board regarding the negative implications these closures will have on parents and children.

"It is also reassuring to have clarity for my constituents across Mansfield and Warsop, many of whom have contacted me to find out when schools will reopen.

“Despite my personal preference being that schools open straight after half-term, I understand why they will wait until early March.

"By this time, all of the most vulnerable will have had their first dose of the vaccine, and by early March they should have a level of immunity.

"I will be following the transmission numbers closely and I hope to see them continue to fall over the next two weeks ahead of the next review date.”