THE Conservatives have criticised a council for telling schools not to open on June 1 if they do not feel it is safe.

Brighton and Hove City Council education chief Councillor John Allcock and education director Deb Austin wrote a letter to parents on Monday saying schools in the area should only reopen “when their risk assessments indicate it is safe to do so”.

But Brighton Conservatives leader Councillor Steve Bell criticised the city council for “not heeding” Government advice to prepare schools to open on June 1.

“The city council’s interim head of children’s services has made a political statement with the letter saying it is not going to heed the Government advice,” he said.

“They seem to think they are better qualified to make the decisions on the health of the children.

“But there are lots of children who need education and we’re concerned about the mental health and wellbeing of the children.”

The Argus: Brighton and Hove City Council education chief Councillor John AllcockBrighton and Hove City Council education chief Councillor John Allcock

Cllr Bell also said reopening schools sooner would allow parents to return to work and give them financial stability.

But he said the Government would take scientific advice into account when deciding whether to reopen schools on June 1.

“I don’t think it has to be June 1,” he said.

“The Government has been clear we should only be aiming for June 1 following scientific advice.”

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