Coronavirus: Education secretary defends system for schools

England's education secretary has defended the Covid-19 testing system for schools, saying they can now order tests from the NHS directly.

Gavin Williamson said schools were being prioritised, amid claims by head teachers of problems accessing tests. He stressed pupils sent home due to a Covid-19 case at their school should only seek tests if they have symptoms.

Head teachers have written to the prime minister about their fears of further delays as virus cases rise. In their letter, teaching unions also called for easier access to public health advice to deal with Coronavirus cases in schools.

The heads of the Association of School and College Leaders and the National Association of Head Teachers warned Boris Johnson of "a deep sense of foreboding" about further delays in the system and called on the government to step up.