"Many families are preparing for the return to school but we continue to raise strong concerns about safety and last week we outlined these to the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. We welcome the supply of carbon dioxide monitors to schools for the new term, but this is one basic measure that should have been in place many months ago."

And we have strong reason to have concerns – data shows that at times close to 50 children a day around the country are being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 while the Office for National Statistics tells us 34,000 children in the UK suffer from Long Covid. As vaccine eligibility for 16 to 17-year-olds has only just begun in a city with a younger population profile, we know there are particular risks of an autumn Covid surge.

Such a wave, driven by schools reopening, could only multiply these figures, leading to entirely preventable disease, distress, as well as disruption to our children’s education once again.

From the beginning of the pandemic the government’s response in schools has been wholly inadequate. Whereas other countries invested, teaching in halls or sport stadia to allow social distancing, our schools sent whole class or year-group “bubbles” home every time there was a single Covid case. This has caused massive disruption to families and education with the poorest and most marginalised children falling behind. The bubble system and the subsequent disruption to education is not viable long term, but schools are going into the new year having had this blunt tool taken away from them with no finer replacement.

So we are calling for government ministers to work with us providing masks, mechanical ventilation, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, alongside carbon dioxide monitors as the most effective tools. However given already stretched school budgets, the impact of the pandemic and the cost to local services, theses measures place a cost burden on schools that simply cannot be met through existing budgets. If we really are to learn to live with Covid, schools need immediate access to government funding and practical resources that will minimise Covid-19 ahead of term.

I have been overwhelmed by the very many kind and generous offers of support to the refugees from Afghanistan. The Refugee Help inbox has been inundated with a public outpouring of support reminiscent of the 2015-16 Syrian migrant crisis.

We stand ready to help and are clear Afghanistan’s refugees are welcome in the city. We are working to support those who have fled to our city for their safety. Brighton and Hove has a proud history of solidarity and welcome for refugees, and we will be doing all we can to support the people fleeing from the desperate situation.

We are now co-ordinating the practical help on the ground to translate the offers of help into meaningful assistance. Behind the scenes there is a considerable amount of work underway from liaison with Home Office officials, to finding suitable accommodation. We have been working with the brilliant Sanctuary On Sea on information for those wishing to help.

We’re working to make sure we have the necessary support networks in place and are in urgent need of large, self-contained private sector properties to help families resettle in the city. If any landlords can offer properties on a long-term basis to support this humanitarian crisis, please email refugeehelp@brighton-hove.gov.uk While the council is only looking for long-term self-contained accommodation, there are organisations you can contact if you have a spare room or short term space you would like to offer including Thousand 4 £1000.

I am extremely grateful for the many offers of help that have already received. Many have said they regret they cannot help accommodate or donate but there are so many ways we can all help, much of it is free and all of it about compassion and kindness.

For clothes, toiletries please contact Care4Calais who will distribute to refugees and asylum seekers in need. Voices in Exile welcomes monetary donations, food donations, toiletries and cleaning products for their weekly food bank. For toys and other children’s items, please consider donating to the outstanding organisation Pelican Parcels which takes pre-loved and new item donations for babies and children up to ten.

Put yourself in the shoes of someone terrified and running away from the place they call home. I am clear, of course, we as a city are grappling many problems now but we also need to extend the hand of friendship and offer support.

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