Education Secretary defends COVID catch up plan for schools

A COVID catch up plan to help children in England make up on lost lessons, costing £1.4bn, is being unveiled by the government.

But plans to add half an hour to the school day, extending it from 8am to 5pm or 6pm, have been postponed after a reported Whitehall row over the cost.

One union has described the government's plans as "pitiful".

But the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has defended the government's action plan.

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