Combine classes in case of Covid staff shortages, DfE tells teachers in England

Tories criticised for failing to tackle Omicron earlier as Covid infections are still highCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has told headteachers in England to start preparing for staff shortages by using suppor…

Essential workers thousand of pounds worse off than a decade ago, TUC says

Nurses, care home staff and police officers have had real pay cuts since 2010 as wages lag behind pricesNurses, care home staff and police officers working on Christmas Day will be thousands of pounds worse off than they were a decade ago as a result o…

UK unions call for tighter Covid safety measures in schools as cases surge

Government urged to take action as one in 14 secondary school children in England infected last weekCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageUnions have called on the government to stop “standing by” and reinstate safety measures at …

‘Economically illiterate’: PM’s Tory conference speech gets frosty reception

Next boss, thinktanks and unions criticise Boris Johnson, saying ‘shortages cannot be blustered away’Business leaders rounded on Boris Johnson for lacking a coherent economic plan after he delivered a boosterish conference speech that made barely a men…