Sadiq Khan demands ALL London secondary schools should close until the middle of January sparking chaos for millions of parents and children - as Islington becomes second Labour borough to end term early after Greenwich

Sadiq Khan today declared London schools should close early and open later in January if mass testing is not available

Sadiq Khan has declared that all London's secondary schools and colleges should be shut from today until at least mid-January as a Labour-run council became the second in the capital to send every child home from tomorrow.

Islington Council has now said that all its schools will be closed until January 11 - keeping children away from the classroom for a month - amid growing fears that all the capital's 20 Labour-run councils could follow suit.

Labour's Mayor of London Sadiq Khan - who has no powers over schools - was also accused of 'overstepping his brief' after he backed party colleague and declared that all the capital's secondary schools and colleges should be closed down immediately because of rising cases among ten to 19-year-olds.

He said: 'Some schools aren't Covid-safe. In some the spread of the virus is accelerating. For secondary schools and FE colleges there should be mass testing available. If they can't get the testing they need they should probably close a few days early to avoid the children catching it and passing it on. And if we need to open schools a few days late in January that's the safe and sensible thing to do'.

Minutes after he spoke schools in Islington were advised to remain closed until after the Christmas break and continue online learning until January 11.

Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said: 'There is a serious and very worrying rise in coronavirus across London, with cases doubling every few days. We must all take action now to stop this deadly disease spreading serious illness and death to the people we love.'

The chaos began last night when Greenwich Council's left-wing leader Danny Thorpe was accused of 'an appalling lack of leadership' by parents who learned by text or Twitter that he had demanded that all the south-east London borough's 133 schools should shut from this evening.

Critics have accused officials of abandoning children after a year of massive disruption to their schooling and questions over the quality of online teaching they receive. Parents are also scrambling to find childcare with less than 24 hours' notice.

One senior government source told MailOnline that the intervention from Sadiq Khan and two Labour-run councils, backed by the teaching unions, had more than a 'whiff of political opportunism'.

But today the Prime Minister's spokesman dodged saying whether action will be taken against councils and schools closing early after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson threatened to go to court to force them to remain open using powers under the Coronavirus Act.

'We will continue to work closely with them. The important thing is we expect schools to stay open until the end of term', the spokesman said.

It came as London looks certain to move into Tier 3, perhaps as early as this afternoon, with people hitting the shops and pubs over the weekend because most are likely to be shut by the end of the week.

The new row over schools came as:

Greenwich's council leader Danny Thorpe has told all schools in the south-east London borough to close from Monday evening as he warned its Covid-19 situation was 'escalating extremely quickly'. The infection rate per 100,000 people in the capital stood at 191.8 on December 6, up from 158.1 the previous week. Pictured: London infection rates by borough week to December 6

Despite London's growing Covid-19 rate, there are warnings not to put the capital under Tier 3 restrictions, amid fears it could be 'catastrophic' for businesses in the run up to Christmas

Parents are up in arms over the last minute decision - and some said their children were left in tears because they won't finish the term

London could be put into Tier 3 TODAY: MPs are told coronavirus cases in the capital and the Home Counties are 'off the chart' as Matt Hancock prepares to update Commons this afternoon

Ministers could bring forward a decision to plunge millions of Londoners into Tier 3 to today as coronavirus cases in the capital soar 'off the chart'.

In a move that could devastate businesses just days before Christmas, the city could see its hospitality and culture sectors closed down, with shoppers from Tier 2 zones outside the limits barred from shopping in its major retail hubs like Oxford Street.

MPs were warned this morning that there was 'exponential growth' in cases in London's boroughs and some of the major commuter areas like Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will update MPs on the latest developments in the fight against Covid-19 at 3.30pm today.

The Government agreed to review the tier levels every two weeks at the latest after they were introduced on December 2, in order to pass the legislation needed in the face of a backbench rebellion.

But London mayor Sadiq Khan said it was 'possible' a decision could be brought forward to today because of the spike in numbers, with a key cabinet committee meeting taking place this morning.

He warned Tier 3 would be 'catastrophic' without extra help for the city's businesses, coming in what should be a 'golden quarter' of the year before Christmas.

He told Sky News is was 'possible' a decision on a tier change could be made today, adding: 'If the government decides to do that they must provide additional support over and above what has been offered to make sure these businesses go bust,' he told Sky News.

'If they go bust not only will it lead to hundreds of thousands of Londoners being made unemployed, but our ability to recover from this pandemic will be made much harder. It is in nobody's interest for these businesses to go bust, December is a crucial month for many of these business.'

Greenwich Council leader Cllr Thorpe, a former teacher whose decision has been loudly supported by Britain's teaching unions, did not specify on what scientific basis officials had reached the decision, leading to accusations he was putting scoring political points above the education of children.

Panicked parents scrambling to find childcare with just 24 hours notice amid growing concerns schools could remain closed in January. Some families said the decision had left their children in tears.

NHS worker Unsu Soko said she was asleep when she received the announcement that 133 schools including her child's in Greenwich were to close by text message. She told MailOnline: 'I was asleep when the text message came through last night. So I did not know anything about it until this morning. I have to go to work. I work at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in the maternity unit. So my husband will have to take time off work to look after our daughter. It's going to be difficult'.

Another parent Edyta, 40, a quantitative analyst from Eltham, said: 'The kids were looking forward for this week for the rehearsals and for the Christmas party and that has now all been cancelled. I think it's a very ridiculous decision. It's going to massively disrupt everything'.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma today blasted the Labour-led calls and said: 'We want to keep schools open'. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson warned yesterday that schools who do not stay open face legal action - but has not used the clause inserted in the Coronavirus Act that can compel schools to stay open. Instead London's Regional Schools Commissioner has written to Greenwich Council urging them to reserve their decision.

Critics said Greenwich Council has no power to shut the borough's more than 100-plus schools, but some headteachers in the area have already informed parents they will end the term early today. Greenwich, which has 290,000 residents, has seen an average of one death per week since in March and 5,500 positive tests in total since the pandemic began nine months ago.

It is possible that the Department for Education will compel Danny Thorpe to reverse his decision. One free school in the borough, Ark Greenwich Free School, said it had not had a case since October and would ignore the council's request to shut early. Greenwich residents speculated others schools in the borough may follow suit.

One school worker in the borough said: 'This has created a huge amount of confusion for parents. Schools will have 100's of emails & calls to deal with tomorrow morning, adding to their already high workload and pressure'. Another wrote: 'This is a disaster for families in Royal Greenwich. Schools should be the last thing to close. Please could you provide the evidence you have used to come to this awful decision?'

Historic Greenwich is one of the busiest tourist spots in the capital, and is a magnet for shoppers and drinkers.

One critic said: 'Massive double standards at play. The pubs have been open all w/e - zero social distancing in Greenwich town centre...... then a Sunday evening 'tweet' to shut schools early within 24hrs'. Another parent said: 'Some of us cannot master magic childcare over night that is not what we normally use. Not all of us can use family right now either'.

They insisted that the local authority does not have the power to act unilaterally, making clear the regional schools commissioner had already approached Greenwich. 'We can stop them,' the source said.

'We have had 99 per cent of schools open every week since the start of term. There are measures to prevent the risk of transmission in schools,' they added.

'The fundamental point from the government's point of view is that education remains an overriding priority. We have said all along that we will close other things to keep schools open.'

What are the Tier 3 rules?

The source warned that shutting school now with almost no notice would cause chaos for parents, and suggested that if Mr Khan wanted to crack down on infections he should be looking at other measures.

'If it is rates in the community then there are other things he could be doing,' they said.

'The fact it is a Labour council leader and a Labour mayor means there is a slight whiff of opportunism. The unions would clearly like to see this happen as well.'

The DfE/government source said Mr Williamson had powers under the Coronavirus Act to force schools to open, but pointed out that 99 per cent of schools had been open since the start of term, and those powers had not been needed during the second lockdown.

'Usually, if schools have issues or concerns they get in touch and we discuss,' the source said. 'Any decision to close would be based on local health advice not a political decision.'

Shaun Bailey, Conservative London Mayoral Candidate said: 'From the moment we entered Tier 2, the Mayor should have been working on a plan to get us into Tier 1. Instead, he did nothing.

'As a result, London faces Tier 3 and a higher rate of infection. And I'm worried this will have a devastating effect on livelihoods as well as lives.

'Since schools have contributed to the recent rise in infections, I'm calling on the government to let schools start one week later in January.

Greenwich mum Stephanie Gibson, 41, who is on maternity leave with her new baby (pictured together) is among the parents upset by the 11th hour decision by her home borough

'This move would help us break the cycle of transmission and avoid further restrictions — vital for a city that can only survive if it stays open'.

Parents at Deansfield Primary School in Eltham, south east London reacted angrily to the decision by education chiefs in Greenwich to close all schools from tomorrow.

One mum Stephanie Gibson, 41, has one boy who attends the school who is in reception.

She said: 'I'm on maternity leave at the moment but it's the financial implications of trying to find people for childcare at such short notice. There has been two cases at the school but they were all managed and contained. I don't think the children are at a great risk of it.

'They've not shown us anything to suggest that there's any more risk within this age demographic so I don't understand why they're closing them.

'The full year has been delayed and they should remain open so that the children can have the flu vaccine which they were due to have. They've missed out on end of year activities like making gingerbread too.'

Edyta, 40, quantitative analyst, said: 'I think it's not fair for the kids and the parents as well. It has caused disruption to our own plans. You want to keep your job and the last minute decisions are not helping.

'I think we had two cases of coronavirus in year five and year three but it was managed really well. There were no further cases afterwards. The school has been doing a good job.

'The kids were looking forward for this week for the rehearsals and for the Christmas party and that has now all been cancelled.

'I think it's a very ridiculous decision. It's going to massively disrupt everything.'

Anna, 35, a conference producer said: 'The older kids are still going to hang around with the younger ones. I don't see how it is going to stop the spread.

'It's impossible to sometimes get childcare. If both parents work, you have to try and manage it without any additional support which is very difficult.

Parents have reacted with fury over Greenwich's call for schools to close with 24 hours notice

Deansfield Primary School in Greenwich is among 133 set to close from tomorrow - almost a week early

Rural areas CAN'T be 'decoupled' from neighbouring Covid hotspots go into a lower Tier even if they have much lower infection rates

Tens of thousands of residents in low-infection towns and villages had their hopes of 'decoupling' from the tiers of surrounding coronavirus hotspots dashed yesterday.

In a letter to Tory MPs, Matt Hancock said that 'narrow carve-outs' of areas with lower rates of infection often leads to them 'catching up' or 'overtaking' areas with a higher prevalence of Covid.

It comes ahead of a review of the tier system on Wednesday. The Health Secretary's comments are set to disappoint Tory MPs in areas that come under stringent Tier Two or Three restrictions because of high infection rates elsewhere in their county.

They will also dismay several London boroughs that were hoping to remain in Tier Two, with the whole of the capital now almost certain to enter Tier Three.

Boris Johnson had raised hopes that Wednesday's review would be done on what he described as a more 'granular' basis than a fortnight ago, suggesting some areas could be spared.

But health leaders are continuing to pile on pressure against easing tier restrictions, warning of the 'risk of a third wave' when the NHS is at its busiest. Officials last night confirmed that London will be treated 'as a whole' rather than on a borough-by-borough basis, indicating its nine million residents will soon be plunged into the strictest measures.

Latest figures show the capital's infection rates have climbed to an average of 224 new cases per 100,000 people, rising in 21 of the 32 boroughs. However, rates in Greater Manchester dropped below the UK average to 151.3 per 100,000 people, for the week ending December 8.

The turnaround has led Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to call for the two cities' positions to be reversed, for the sake of 'equal and fair treatment'.

He said: 'If London and Manchester don't move, it would tell me it's not based on the evidence. I don't wish anything on London, but we have to have equal and fair treatment here.'

Business leaders have warned shutting the capital down before Christmas will devastate its economy, forcing many pubs and restaurants to close.

It comes as the number of daily deaths from Covid fell to 144 yesterday, down from 231 a week ago.

Only a handful of areas are expected to move down the tiers during the first review since the second lockdown, including Lincolnshire and North Somerset.

'I don't think closing three days before the end of term will help massively. I think it will cause more problems.'

Paul, dad of two children in reception and year two said: 'We're not in tier three so why haven't they closed all the pubs and shops? It doesn't make sense. If it's pretty bad, then put us into tier three.

'I don't understand the system. I think they should make their mind up about what they're doing. Even in tier three areas they're not seeing school as a problem. I want to see some consistency in this whole system. It's like people are waking up and thinking: what are we doing today?

'It has caused us a bit of disruption. My wife does part-time yoga teaching and she had to cancel her classes. And I'm working from home.

'I don't understand the logic. Kids can't go to school but I can go to the pub. That's a bit weird to me. I was under the impression that kids weren't spreading the virus.'

Mothers of pupils at Morden Mount Primary School told how they would have to take time off work to look after children and that the kids would lose out.

Taxi cab controller Shaana-Kay Clarke said it would be a 'nightmare' trying to look after her five-year-old daughter Shannakqua at home while she was working.

The mother-of-one told MailOnline: 'This closing down of school is going to be difficult but they have to do their best to keep everyone safe.

'I am a cab controller and I work from home so it is going to be a nightmare for me with Shannakqua at home.

'I am on the phone and she will come into the room and ask questions.

'I will try to keep her busy but it will be difficult. And she will get bored. She loves coming to school. She likes to be with the other children. But they don't understand all this social distancing thing. They don't understand adult problems.'

Supermarket worker Fatima Olayemi told how she was happy for her children to be off school if that kept them safe, but added she would suffer.

The mother-of-three told MailOnline: 'I think it's ok for Greenwich to close down the schools if that is what they need to do to keep people safe.

'The Covid rate has gone right up and they think this is the right thing to do.

'I am ok to look after the children at home and to for them to work online because I work nights. Although this means I won't get much sleep.'

Mum of five Vanessa Celair said she believed her children would suffer.

The 42-year-old said: 'My son Johnson likes to go to school. The closure of the school the last time affected him emotionally so I think it will probably hit him again.

'My daughter also suffers from being away from her friends.

'So it's going to be difficult. The kids will suffer.'

Mother-of-one Odesiri Temile, whose five-year-old daughter Nojo goes to the primary, said safety must come first.

She told MailOnline: 'My daughter likes going to school but the school must put the safety of the children and the staff first.

'We have to go to work but we have to be able to keep safe too.'

Sadiq Khan has called for all London to be closed from Monday in defiance of the government's vow to keep them open, and despite warnings that shutting down the capital will deliver another economic hammer blow to Britain.

Mr Khan's demand follows a unilateral announcement by the Labour leader of Greenwich council that he would close all schools in his borough tomorrow - leaving parents dashing to find four days of child care before the term ends on Thursday.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma today blasted the Labour-led calls, backed by Sadiq Khan, and said: 'We want to keep schools open'

The move puts Greenwich on a collision course with Education Secretary Gavin Williamson who warned that schools who do not stay open face legal action by the government - and it will also fuel teaching unions who arguing that schools should be shut across the country.

It adds to fears that a decision on Wednesday to plunge London into Tier 3 restrictions looks 'inevitable' despite reports Health Secretary Matt Hancock was considering splitting the capital to impose tough restriction on outer boroughs with high infection rates while keeping the West End open.

But Khan also called that move impractical and a morning briefing today between MPs from London and its surrounding areas will address the city's infection rate, which puts it ahead of regions such as the West Midlands, which are already in Tier 3.

Greenwich council leader Danny Thorpe published an open letter yesterday warning the south-east London borough's Covid crisis 'demands immediate action'

Mr Khan's spokesman told The Daily Telegraph: 'The mayor is backing the early closure of schools and would like the Government to consider shutting schools from Tuesday. He wants Monday to be the last day at school.'

London's infection rate per 100,000 people stood at 191.8 on December 6, up from 158.1 the previous week. A source said London being thrust into the Government's highest tier of lockdown rules is 'inevitable'.

Tier 3 rules would see all bars, pubs and restaurants close. Hotels would also have to shut under top-tier rules - but may be able to reopen between December 23 and 27 when families are able to form a 'bubble' with two other households.

MPs are urging the Prime Minister to spare the capital because shutting it down would hurt not just Londoners, but 'people across the nation' who depend on the 'wealth and prosperity generated by our great city'.

A decision on whether to plunge London into the highest lockdown before Christmas was going to the wire this weekend, with a row brewing with Ministers after police and local councils objected to plans to divide London into different tiers.

With the capital's businesses saying tier 3 would deliver a £3 billion hit to the economy, Ministers including Michael Gove have suggested that only the outer London boroughs with the highest infection rates should go in to the top tier.

In a pre-emptive strike ahead of a review of the capital's restrictions, six senior Conservatives signed the letter, organised by Harrow East MP Bob Blackman, which warned that many London Tory MPs could vote against the Government's Covid approach when it is reviewed next month if the city is plunged into tier 3.

The MPs' letter highlighted the Government's own estimate last month that 550,000 jobs would have been at risk if London had been put in tier 3 last month.

They warned: 'It would be a false choice to pit lives against livelihoods when it comes to deciding which Covid restrictions should apply in London.

'We believe the Government can both protect lives and livelihoods with a more measured approach of keeping our capital open while also bearing down on this terrible virus.'

Yesterday, Greenwich council leader Danny Thorpe told all schools in the south-east London borough to close four days before the Christmas break, warning the local Covid-19 situation was 'escalating extremely quickly'.

All schools will close this evening, with Cllr Thorpe's open letter failing to explain whether the closure would continue when pupils return in the New Year.

It states: 'Although London is currently in Tier 2, this is being reviewed by the Government who will advise us shortly about the decisions they make.'

No other London borough has followed suit as yet, but some councils are urging pupils and their families to get tested - while Islington said it would announce a 'range of extra measures' later today.

Sunday's announcement came after it was revealed the Government could force schools to remain open in the run-up to Christmas by applying for a High Court injunction.

Cllr Thorpe's statement on Sunday read: 'I have today been briefed by colleagues from Public Health England that the pandemic in Greenwich is now showing signs that we are in a period of exponential growth that demands immediate action.

'We now have the highest rates of infection in Greenwich than at any time since March, and for these reasons I have therefore asked all schools in Greenwich to close their premises from Monday evening and move to online learning for the duration of the term, with the exception of key worker children and those with specific needs (exactly the same as in the first lockdown).

'It is absolutely essential that everyone understands this is NOT an opportunity to extend Christmas celebrations in any way, and I'm asking for this to happen to reduce the risk of transmission.'

The latest data shows there were 715 new coronavirus cases recorded in Greenwich in the seven days to December 9 - the equivalent of 248.3 cases per 100,000 people.

This is up from a rate of 158.0 in the seven days to December 2.

Cllr Thorpe apologised for the closure, but warned families to get tested for Covid-19 as he said they face an 'extreme risk,' due to climbing cases.

Other boroughs have stopped short of closing schools, but Labour-run Islington council leader Richard Watts said the local authority will be announcing 'a range of extra measures' to support residents later today.

Havering has the worst Covid-19 infection rate in the capital, with 470.4 cases per 100,000 people.

Yesterday the local council ran out of tests at one of three new testing centres.

Conservative leader of the council Damian White told the BBC on Sunday: 'Whilst we're in Tier 2, we're being treated as if we were in Tier 3, so we're being given additional resources from the Government and support from across London and the region to make sure we can lower the amount of transmissions.'

Cllr White has urged all non-symptomatic secondary school staff, pupils and their families to get tested.

Speaking on Friday, he said: 'We are aware that rates in young people have been increasing particularly quickly.

'I urge those groups who do not have symptoms to step forward and get a test this weekend.'

New powers introduced through the Coronavirus Act allow the Government to issue 'directions' to headteachers around education provision during the pandemic.

Should schools fail to comply after being directed to remain open, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson can apply for a High Court injunction forcing them to do so.

It is understood that directions under the act would only be used as a last resort, while a court order would be sought if they were not followed.

The powers came to light after a headteacher in Ware, Hertfordshire, was sent a 'minded to direct' letter from schools minister Nick Gibb warning that the emergency powers could be used.

Presdales School had planned to switch to online learning for the final week of term to ensure staff and pupils did not have to self-isolate on Christmas Day, Schools Week reported.

But it was said to have scrapped the plans after receiving the letter.

Speaking about the decision to close Greenwich schools, Cllr Thorpe said: 'This is honestly one of the most difficult questions I have wrestled with during all my time as leader.

'The Department for Education are clear this isn't their position and indeed have issued directives to some schools.

'However, I cannot in all good conscience stand by whilst the numbers are doubling so quickly.

'If the numbers are indeed doubling every 4 days, they would do so again by this Thursday, exposing more people to risk.'

The Government has powers to issue a High Court injunction to keep schools open, but Greenwich has gone ahead and closed classrooms for the last four days of term amid 'exponential growth,' in Covid-19 cases. The closure comes as shoppers continued to flock to Oxford Street in London on Sunday, with little room for social distancing

London already has a higher case rate than other parts of England living under Tier 3 restrictions. The case rate per 100,000 people in the capital stood at 191.8 on December 6, up from 158.1 the previous week

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