British MPs must have a vote in Parliament to approve any future school closures following the “disaster” of Covid-19 lockdowns, a senior Tory has said. Halfon is introducing a Bill aiming to redefine schools as ‘essential infrastructure’ to protect millions of pupils from future shutdowns. Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons Education Committee, said closures during the coronavirus pandemic “wielded a hammer blow for students’ education and wellbeing”. The MP for Harlow added that their “apocalyptic” effect has threatened the futures of millions of pupils across the country. Halfon’s Bill aims to redefine schools and education settings as “essential infrastructure”, alongside power stations, hospitals and food retailers, to protect millions of pupils from future shutdowns. The Bill, which has the support of the Children’s Commissioner for England, would introduce a “triple lock” of protections to ensure that any possible school closures would have to be approved by Parliament. On his …