Children who receive free school meals will still be entitled to receive them during the third national lockdown in England.

It comes as Boris Johnson is to plunge the country back into a full lockdown as coronavirus cases reach levels which have the potential to overwhelm the NHS.

Under the strict new measures both primary and secondary schools will be closed except for vulnerable children and those whose parents are key workers.

All schools are expected to move to online learning models from tomorrow.

The Prime Minister said: ‘I know how tough this is, and I know how frustrated you are and I know you have had more than enough of Government guidance about defeating this virus, but now, more than ever, we must pull together.’

As well as announcing free school meals would continue, Mr Johnson added exams won’t continue ‘as planned’ – but did not give any further details or explanation.

Nurseries and early years settings will remain open and existing childcare bubbles can remain in place.

Shadow schools minister Wes Streeting tweeted: ‘Johnson just cancelled exams without any plan to replace them. This will cause additional anxiety for pupils and teachers.

‘We’ve called for months for a Plan B in case exams couldn’t take place. He should be announcing that plan, not starting with a blank sheet of paper!’

With the guidance similar to the first national lockdown in March last year, people are only allowed to leave their homes for a limited number of reasons.

‘You may only leave home for limited reasons permitted in law, such as to shop for essentials, to work if you absolutely cannot work from home, to exercise, to seek medical assistance such as getting a Covid test, or to escape domestic abuse,’ Mr Johnson explained.

This is a breaking story. More to follow.

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