Overview

This bill designates educational institutions in England and Wales as essential infrastructure, mandating their continued operation during national emergencies. Closure is only permissible under strict conditions involving parliamentary approval and consultation with the Children's Commissioner.

Description

The Schools and Educational Settings (Essential Infrastructure and Opening During Emergencies) Bill aims to ensure educational institutions remain open during emergencies. This includes schools, colleges, and universities.

Key Provisions:

• Essential Infrastructure Classification: The bill classifies all educational institutions in England and Wales as essential infrastructure.
• Duty to Remain Open: Relevant public authorities (Secretary of State, local authorities, and the institutions themselves) must take all reasonable steps to keep schools open for students during normal hours, even during emergencies.
• Emergency Closure Procedure: Emergency closures are only permitted under specific circumstances. If the emergency isn't an immediate threat to life, stringent conditions must be met before closure is allowed. If it is an immediate threat to life, the Secretary of State can order closure for up to five days, needing parliamentary approval thereafter.
• Children's Commissioner Consultation: Before any emergency closure (except immediate life threats), the Secretary of State must consult the Children's Commissioner and present their advice to Parliament. Any deviation from the advice requires parliamentary justification.
• Parliamentary Approval: The House of Commons must approve any emergency closure beyond five days, and any extension beyond 21 days, through a specific motion.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify any new government spending. The implementation of the bill’s requirements may lead to indirect costs associated with maintaining educational facilities and operations during emergencies, but these costs are not explicitly quantified within the text.

Groups Affected

• Students: The bill directly impacts students, aiming to ensure continued access to education during emergencies.
• Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities will bear the responsibility of remaining open, potentially incurring additional costs and requiring contingency planning.
• Teachers and Staff: Educational staff may face additional challenges in maintaining operations during emergencies.
• Relevant Public Authorities: The Secretary of State, local authorities, and educational institutions themselves are legally obligated to maintain operations unless conditions for emergency closure are met.
• Children's Commissioner: The Children's Commissioner is given a crucial role in advising on potential closures and ensuring children's interests are considered.
• Parliament: Parliament plays a vital role in overseeing emergency closures through the required motions.

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