Tories will 'sweep aside' safety laws
Tories will 'sweep aside' safety laws
Conservative plans for education that include 'sweeping aside' health and safety legislation have been condemned by teaching union NASUWT. In a speech this week to the Conservative Party's Birmingham conference, shadow spokesperson for children, schools and families Michael Gove said Tory policy would make children more active by increasing expeditions, school trips and competitive sports. But he added 'many of these activities are made almost impossible by red tape. So we will act to give teachers the power to take children beyond their comfort zone by sweeping away absurd health and safety regulations which attempt to squeeze all risk out of life.' The shadow spokesperson said: 'Uniting every thing we will do is one principle - cut out the guff, the bureaucracy, the box-ticking and get common sense back into the classroom.' NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said the speech was low on detail, but 'tinged with chilling references to failed Conservative policies of the past.' She added: 'The absence of any acknowledgement or thanks to the school workforce for their hard work, dedication and commitment was stark and will not go unnoticed. References to sweeping aside health and safety legislation may play well with the Party faithful, but they will cause deep alarm to any right minded person. It is nothing short of reckless to pledge to remove regulation which is fundamental to the health and welfare of young people and adults.'
Stay Updated
Want to hear about our latest news and blogs?
Sign up now to get it straight to your inbox