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1,500 schools expected to defy government advice on reopening

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Manchester Council has said it is ‘highly unlikely’ schools in the region will be reopened on June 1st – and across the country it’s expected that around 1,500 schools will defy the government’s plans to reopen.

Robert Buckland, the Justice Secretary, said today that he was not expecting everyone to be back by the date announced by the government, with at least 18 councils vowing to go against the government’s plans. 

Government officials announced that schools should prepare to open on June 1st, bringing reception, year one and year six back to schools in reduced class sizes if it is safe to do so. 

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The government has issued a detailed plan on how to make sure classrooms are safe for both students and teachers. The plan includes offering a maximum class size of 15, keeping desks far apart and ensuring soap is in every toilet.

However, the plan experienced fierce backlash with many unions warning teachers not to go. Councils across the country have said they will not enforce the reopening of schools. 

Manchester Council and Salford Council have both said that it is ‘highly unlikely’ that schools in the region will reopen inline with the government’s plan next month. 

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, Stockport Council confirmed its school wouldn’t open until June 10th at the earliest, while Rochdale said they won’t reopen them until it’s safe for kids and staff.

In Bury, the council announced they would not reopen schools ‘while high levels of Covid-19 remain’ in the region.

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In a statement, Manchester Council said: “We’re very clear that in any plan the safety of pupils and staff must be absolutely paramount.

“For this reason, in our primary schools it is highly unlikely that children in the government identified priority year groups will be able to attend school full-time from June 1, and may also mean that some schools have to prioritise certain year groups, and not make an offer to them all.”

Manchester’s council executive member for children and schools, Councillor Garry Bridges, said that the announcement from the Prime Minister last week ‘raised more questions than answers’. 

He said: “The government guidance is unworkable and it’s highly unlikely schools in Manchester will be open for all children in the prescribed year groups from 1 June as they suggest.

“Most of our schools have in fact been open since the lockdown was enforced to key groups of children, as well as providing home learning and welfare checks. This has included throughout school holidays and in many cases even bank holidays.

“However, rather than follow the government guidance and suddenly increasing the numbers in school to meet arbitrary dates, we’re working with our schools on individual risk assessments to understand how they can safely and gradually over time increase the number of children attending.”

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He added: “The government message that ‘schools are reopening on 1 June’ is unhelpful. Manchester parents should only consider sending their child into school from this date if they are contacted directly by their school with the direct offer of a place back in the classroom for their child from then.

“Like all of us I’m worried about the impact on children and young people from not being in school and we all want to see more children back in as soon as they can be, but this needs to be done in a safe, planned, and controlled way.

“We’re in active and positive discussions with our schools and the unions on all of this and will be meeting regularly with them over the coming weeks as their return to school plans are worked through.”

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Mr Buckland insisted that the government is ‘working towards’ a June 1st opening date but admitted it was not looking good.

He said: “We always said the 1st of June was conditional, not just on the R-rate but the need to make places of work safe. I am hearing what’s being said by our union representatives and brilliant teachers.

“We have to accept the fact that councils are employers and decisions have to be made collectively.”

There is evidence to suggest that ‘the risk to individual children from Covid-19 is extremely small’, according to the British Medical Association (BMA). 

The chairman of the BMA’s Public Health Medicine Committee said: “The BMA wants schools to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so and the evidence allows – this could be before June 1 or after. A zero-risk approach is not possible. This is about ‘safe’ being an acceptable level of risk.”

The government said each school’s circumstances are individual and if a headteacher felt unable to open next month they should ‘discuss options’ with their local authority or trust. 

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Man arrested in connection with death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey

He has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, police say

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@georgegilbey / Instagram

A man has been arrested in connection to the death of television personality George Gilbey who died after suffering a fall at work.

Essex Police said it was called to an incident at a road in Shoebury, near Southend-on-Sea, following a report that a man had fallen from a height while at work.

An air ambulance was in attendance but sadly, the 40-year-old died at the scene.

@georgegilbey / Instagram

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (March 27), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

“The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene. We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

Gilbey, a self-employed electricain, starred in eight series of Channel 4’s Gogglebox  alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who passed away at the age of 71 in 2021. Gilbey also Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 in 2014, finishing fourth.

Channel 4 Gogglebox shared a statement on its official X account, saying: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

Tributes from friends and fans have been pouring in online, as one person said: “Rest in peace George, thanks for all the laughs you gave me over the years. Bet Pete’s waiting for you with a pint xxx.”

Another wrote: “Thinking of your family. I’m so sorry to your mum especially. so much grief to deal with in such a short time the world can be so cruel.”

Celebrities have also been sharing tributes online after hearing the tragic news.

EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook shared a photo of Gilbey and his mum on Instagram, and wrote beside it: “Goodnight, my darling friend George. I’m absolutely gutted.”

In a post on X, former Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio, and Celebrity Big Brother co-star, wrote: “Breaks my (heart) but @georgegilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend. Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you G.”

And, Simon Minty wrote on Instagram: “So sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed watching George. Condolences to Linda and family.” 

In the latest update, police said the arrested man was in his 40s and from the Witham area of Essex, and that further updates would be announced ‘proactively’. The force said he was arrested on ‘suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter’.

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Police issue urgent appeal to find missing man from Tameside

Have you seen David?

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Greater Manchester Police

Greater Manchester Police has issued an urgent appeal to help find a man who was last seen in Tameside in the early hours of yesterday.

David, 40, was last seen on Sands Walk, Hyde, at around 12am on Wednesday March 27th.

He is believed to still have his mobile phone on him and to be somewhere in the Greater Manchester area, police say.

David is described as a white male, around 6 ft 2 ins tall, of slim build and a bald head with red facial hair. He also has tattoos on his arms and legs.

He was last seen wearing jeans, a black t-shirt and a black hoodie.

Anyone who has seen David or who may have any information about his whereabouts is urged to contact GMP on 0161 856 9325.

 

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey dies after fall from height at age 40

RIP George

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@georgegilbey / Instagram

Television personality George Gilbey who starred on Gogglebox has died after suffering a fall at work.

Essex Police said it was called to an incident at a road in Shoebury, near Southend-on-Sea, following a report that a man had fallen from a height while at work.

An air ambulance was in attendance but sadly, the 40-year-old died at the scene.

@georgegilbey / Instagram

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (March 27), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

“The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene. We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

Gilbey starred in eight series of Channel 4’s Gogglebox  alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who passed away at the age of 71 in 2021. Gilbey also Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 in 2014, finishing fourth.

Channel 4 Gogglebox shared a statement on its official X account, saying: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

Tributes from friends and fans have been pouring in online, as one person said: “Rest in peace George, thanks for all the laughs you gave me over the years. Bet Pete’s waiting for you with a pint xxx.”

Another wrote: “Thinking of your family. I’m so sorry to your mum especially. so much grief to deal with in such a short time the world can be so cruel.”

Celebrities have also been sharing tributes online after hearing the tragic news.

EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook shared a photo of Gilbey and his mum on Instagram, and wrote beside it: “Goodnight, my darling friend George. I’m absolutely gutted.”

In a post on X, former Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio, and Celebrity Big Brother co-star, wrote: “Breaks my (heart) but @georgegilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend. Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you G.”

And, Simon Minty wrote on Instagram: “So sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed watching George. Condolences to Linda and family.” 

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