The Prime Minister Boris Johnson was unable to confirm that schools in areas like Milton Keynes will definitely re-open on 18th January during an interview this morning.
Re-opening for primary schools in 'contingency areas' like Milton Keynes, where coronavirus is spreading fastest, has been delayed for at least two weeks.
Meanwhile, opening for secondary schools nationally is also delayed for two weeks, or one week for students in exam years.
But when the Prime Minister was asked by Andrew Marr this morning if he could "guarantee that schools will open on the 18th of January", he simply said the government would "continue to assess the impact of the Tier 4 measures, the Tier 3 measures."
However, the Prime Minister did insist that schools are safe for both children and staff.
"The risk to kids, to young people is really very very small indeed, as the scientists continually attest. The risk to staff is very small."
"And of course the benefits of education are so huge. Overwhelmingly we want to keep our young people, keep kids, in education because that is the best thing for them."
The National Education Union have called for all primary schools nationally to be closed for at least two weeks.
And Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the government needs to impose a national lockdown within 24 hours, but stopped short of calling for school closures.
It comes as MKFM revealed that a Milton Keynes secondary school has seen 85 pupils and staff be given a positive coronavirus test result since the start of the Christmas holiday.
Both primary and secondary schools in Milton Keynes will be open only for vulnerable children and those with key worker parents this week.
