Category: Gavin Williamson

UK’s Sunak Under Pressure as Minister Quits Following Bullying Allegation

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced pressure in Parliament on Wednesday after Cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson was forced to quit over allegations of abusive behaviour towards colleagues. Sunak defended giving Williamson a seat at the Cabinet table, saying he was not aware of “any of the specific concerns” about Williamson’s past conduct. Opposition leader…


British Universities Warned Not to Pursue ‘Divisive Agenda’

The UK’s Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has urged British university bosses to help bring the country together rather than “cancelling national heroes” and “debating about statues.” Speaking via video link at the Universities UK (UUK) annual conference on Thursday, Williamson warned university bosses against “driving our nation apart” with their “divisive agenda.” “Too often some…


Teachers Not at Increased Risk From COVID-19: UK Study

Teachers are not at greater risk of hospitalisation as a result of COVID-19 infection than the rest of the population, a newly published study in the UK suggests. “Compared with adults of working age who are otherwise similar, teachers and their household members were not found to be at increased risk of hospital admission with…


Universities Not Offering Face-to-Face Teaching Should Cut Fees: UK Minister

British universities that are not returning to face-to-face teaching should not charge the full fees, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said on Tuesday. As all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in England and most such curbs have been scrapped in Scotland and Wales, the government has advised universities to bring back face-to-face lectures and lessons, but…


‘Refusal’ to Make COVID-19 School Contingency Plans ‘Unforgivable’: Report

The government’s “refusal” to make contingency plans for schools and exams in summer 2020 is the “most unforgivable aspect” of its handling of education amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report has suggested. Lessons regarding school closures and examinations from the first lockdown were “not learnt,” leading to a case of “pause, rewind, repeat,” a…